Sudsy Sundays

Camp Hill approves alcohol sales resolution through referendum on Tuesday

By Dale Liesch (Contact) | Dadeville Record

Published Wednesday, December 2, 2009

Camp Hill residents have accepted, by town-wide referendum, a resolution to allow for the off-premise sale of alcoholic beverages on Sundays.

The measure passed by a 135-23 margin, according to Camp Hill Mayor Sam Ellis, who was “very pleased” to see it pass despite dismal turnout.

“I’m happy it passed because it has the potential to be a revenue boost for the town,” Ellis said. “I’m bewildered by the apathy when it comes to voting rights.”

Fewer than 20 percent of registered voters in Camp Hill turned out for the vote and not a single absentee ballot was cast, which was disappointing to Ellis.

“We’ve fallen into an abyss of apathy,”

Ellis said. “I hope people realize that voting is what helps to make America great.”

State Sen. Ted Little, D-Auburn, said he was pleased with the result because it might be able to improve the town’s financial situation.

“I think this is going to be helpful to the quality of life for Camp Hill,” Little said. “Nobody wants to see Camp Hill suffer. Everyone wants to see it make a comeback.”

Little, who helped push the measure through the state legislature, said that once the vote is certified in seven to 10 days, the law could probably go into effect around Christmas.

The measure would also benefit Tallapoosa County, but only slightly, according to county administrator Blake Beck.

“There will be some benefit, but it won’t be a ton,” Blake said. “Beer tax is assessed on the sale of beer and it’s a very complicated formula.”

Beck said the more than $70,000 a year in beer tax revenue is divided among the county’s cities, schools and the county commission.

Ellis said whatever financial benefit is gained from the sale of alcohol on Sundays in Camp Hill would first go to update infrastructure in the town and help to settle some bond issues.

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