Dillsboro to consider alcohol vote

By Rose Hooper

Three years ago Dillsboro voters rejected on- and off-premise beer and wine sales. The vote was 47 to 35 opposing malt beverages and 50 to 32 opposing unfortified wine.

Supporters this time are asking for on-premises sales only.

"Our town is growing," said Sharon Marceline. "We need to grow with it. The train's brought in business and the new Best Western will bring in even more. Chances are because of that we'll have more restaurants, and tourists like to dine where they can have a drink with their dinner."

"I think in the last election some folks were afraid that alcohol sales would promote drunkenness or bring in an element of crime," said Gordon Batten. "We are only asking for on-premises sales, and I don't think that will be an issue at all.

"People who have a glass of wine with dinner are not the type that are going to be drinking just to get drunk. We are still promoting a family atmosphere for Dillsboro," he continued. "The Great Smoky Mountains Railroad serves beer and wine on their dinner trains; they still have a family atmosphere, and you don't see drunks getting off the trains."

Alcohol is served on the train's club car; you must be 21 or older to purchase a special ticket to ride that car, according to Kim Lyons, GSMRR marketing director, who explained that trains are regulated by the Interstate Commerce Commission.

"Our restaurants now are losing business because they can't sell alcohol ­ just how much business I think would surprise you," Batten told the board.

"Some things you can't stop. Like you can't stop convenience stores or grocery stores from selling it too if you pass an ordinance," Mayor Wade Wilson said.

Bed and breakfast owner Lera Chitwood said it was her understanding that a distinction between on- or off-premises could be specifically spelled out in a town ordinance.

Town clerk Herb Nolan explained that the board cannot call for a referendum within five years of a previous vote. However, a petition of the voters could request it within three years, he said.

It was also brought out that new regulations enacted last year by the N.C. General Assembly specified that for a municipality to call for an alcoholic beverage election, it must have a population of 500 or more.

"We've got that many voters within the Dillsboro precinct. But in the town itself ­ and those are the only ones who can vote on the issue ­ we just have 200 registered voters," Vice Mayor Reg Moody said.

Rather than hold an election, a special bill approved by the N.C. Legislature would be the route to take, said Nolan.

"What we are asking for is instructions on how to get this done," said Batten.

Nolan, who agreed to verify the process with officials in Raleigh, explained the first step is to get a petition of 35 percent of the 200 registered voters requesting the on-premise-only alcohol sales. That petition would then need to be supported by the town board. The board would then draw up a bill for Jackson County's local legislators to endorse and submit to the Legislature for a vote.

Back to Archive: 08/09/01.