Liquor vote set for November

By DEUCE NIVEN

tribdeuce@tabor-loris.com

     Liquor by the drink for Tabor City will be on the ballot for town residents this November, Town Council members agreed Tuesday.

     The measure will come five years after a similar referendum failed by just one vote, and comes on the heels of an ongoing effort that could lead to Tabor City becoming a tourist railroad destination.

     Council members and other leaders from Tabor City and Conway were told of the impact liquor by the drink made in Blue Ridge, Georgia, a railroad tourism hub that has seen explosive growth in dining since passing a similar measure early in this decade.

     Town Manager Al Leonard told council that he had explored the possibility of getting the measure on the ballot this year with Columbus County Board of Elections Director Carla Strickland, who said a formal request would have to come this month.

     Councilman Lamont Grate made the motion to ask for the referendum, but first made his intentions clear.

     “In no way form or fashion am I promoting alcohol consumption,” Grate said. “I do believe in giving the citizens the right to have their opinions voiced.”

     With a second from councilman Sam Rogers, David Mincey made the vote unanimous with councilman Nelson Lee absent due to illness.

     See more on council’s decisions Tuesday, and more of the week’s news in today’s Tabor-Loris Tribune in print and online.