How Dry Should We Be?
by John Weckerle
Early in its history, the residents of what was then the Town of Edgewood reportedly placed a measure on the ballot to determine how the Town would handle alcohol sales. Also reportedly, the result was that alcohol sales were to be prohibited on Sunday.
Two issues arise after attempting to research the Town’s alcohol restrictions. First, and most easily dealt with, is that there appears to be no reference to such restrictions on the Town website. It is possible that we missed something, but we searched all the pages and all the ordinances available online for the word term “alcohol” and also searched those ordinances that seemed most likely to be relevant for the term “Sunday.” We also did a Google site search for terms including alcohol, package, and beverage. We found nothing regarding alcohol sales or Sunday restrictions. Either the restrictions were never formalized or the Town has not posted them on its web site for some reason. We believe that the Town of Edgewood should post all legal requirements and restrictions – including but not limited to ordinances, resolutions, policies, and procedures – on the Town website.
Second: Assuming that the restriction is, in fact, a legal reality, it would appear high time to reconsider it. The Town has annexed a substantial amount of territory in the interim, and many people who now live in the municipality had no opportunity to cast a vote on the limitation on alcohol sales. Because this affects everyone in the Town (and much of the surrounding area), and not just those who were in it from the beginning, it seems reasonable to allow the newer residents to have a say.
While we respect the right of the community as a whole to make public policy decisions, it is not clear just what justification exists for prohibiting alcohol sales on Sunday. In general, arguments in favor of prohibiting alcohol sales were very subjective. For example: If memory serves correctly, one of the arguments was “People should be able to go one day a week without drinking.” Well, honestly, most people probably go most days of the week without drinking, especially to excess – and most of them probably limit themselves to a couple of drinks at a time (and many health experts now suggest that a drink or two per day may be beneficial). However, the timing and amount of alcohol one consumes are an individual choice, and should not be a matter of public policy unless it leads to illegal behavior, such as driving under the influence of alcohol – which is illegal every day of the week. Further, it is not clear that those who are determined to drink on Sunday will not do so simply because package sales are prohibited. It is also not clear why the day without drinking should be Sunday; many religions have no prohibition against alcohol on a given day of the week, including most of those that identify Sunday as their day of worship – and, of course, one of the basic premises of our system of government is that religious preferences are not enforced as legal requirements. One proponent, if I recall correctly, evoked images of people driving around swilling beer, and another simply stated “I don’t like being around people who drink.” The former is, again, illegal regardless of the day of the week, and for the latter – well, that person should feel safe, because no one will be drinking in his home – and neither will they be drinking in the grocery store, because that is illegal, too.
For many people, it would be nice to be able to pick up a bottle of wine or a six-pack of beer for an impromptu Sunday dinner or barbecue invitation, or just for sipping while admiring the scenery or watching the birds at the birdbath. Sometimes, life does not afford us the luxury of picking up such products in advance, especially given the hectic pace of life in the present. It seems unreasonable and unnecessary to limit the freedom of responsible adults, behaving in a responsible and legal fashion. Regardless, the question remains: Is it time to revisit the past decision and allow all of Edgewood’s residents a voice?
2 Responses “How Dry Should We Be?”
I believe the rules and regulations you are seeking will be found within the jurisdiction of the state’s ABC (Alcoholic Beverage Control) Division, and not the Town of Edgewood.
Local option, as I recall, was voted upon at the the time of the town’s incorporation and becomes eligible for a re-vote no less than every four years.
Whether one wishes to include Sunday sales – or not – is probably an issue that needs to be applied for and run through ABC in enough time to be included on an upcoming ballot.
Thanks, Jerry! That explains why the restrictions aren’t found within the Town’s ordinances. If it becomes eligible for re-vote every four years, then it does seem appropriate to reconsider it at this time, or at least in the foreseeable future.