Sunday alcohol sales could be on city ballot this fall

City of Cairo officials say they have been approached by local restaurant owners interested in being able to sell alcoholic beverages by the drink on Sundays, and on Monday night the city council appeared open to putting the question before city voters this November.

Councilman Jerry Cox said he had been approached by two local restaurant owners who would like to be able to sell alcoholic beverages on Sunday in their establishments.

“Is it too late to be placed on the November ballot?” Cox asked city clerk Carolyn Lee at Monday night’s meeting.

According to the city clerk, there is time for the council to take action and put the question of Sunday sales on the ballot for the November city election.

“What do they need to do to proceed?” Councilman Cox asked.

City attorney Thomas L. Lehman said that either pouring license holders or package license holders should come before the council and request the issue be put on the ballot.

“You (the council) don’t have to say if it happens or not. Your only decision is if it goes to a vote,” Lehman said.

Councilman James H. (Jimmy) Douglas said that if the council’s desire is to put the Sunday sales question on the ballot it should be done this fall or either in two years. “It’s too expensive to have a special election,” Douglas commented.

The city clerk also suggested that if the council decided to put the Sunday sales question on the ballot, it should include both package sales and pouring sales.

Currently, packaged sale of beer and wine is permitted in unincorporated areas of Grady County, but are prohibited in the City of Cairo.

Councilman Douglas said Tuesday he thought the council would support putting both questions before the voters this fall if the council receives a request from local permit holders.

In other business Monday night, the council:

Approved two special event permits for street closures later this month at the request of the Cooper family reunion. Delois Parker applied for a permit to close Second Avenue S.W. between M.L. King Jr. Avenue S.W. and 12th Street S.W. on Friday, July 26, from 6 p.m. until midnight and Allie Daniels applied for a permit to close Teresa Edwards Street between Adams and Third Avenue S.W. on Saturday, July 27 from 7 p.m. until 11 p.m.

Tabled approval of the pre-hazard mitigation plan, which is part of a joint effort between Cairo, Whigham and Grady County that establishes protocol in the event of an emergency or crisis situation.

Approved an alcoholic beverage application for Casa Grande Bar and Grill, 2800 U.S. 84 East, due to a change in ownership. Amie M. Yu is the applicant.