VALDOSTA, GA (WALB) -
Voters in Valdosta are a step closer to deciding whether to allow Sunday alcohol sales.
City council members had the first reading of the ordinance last night.
If they approve it, a referendum could be placed on the November ballot.
By next year in Valdosta you may be able to buy alcohol on Sundays at liquor, convenience, and grocery stores. City manager Larry Hanson says people have been contacting council members asking to vote on this.
"Really don't see this as a revenue issue but more of a convenience issue for people so it'll be interesting to see how the council responds and how our citizens respond," said Hanson.
He says it would benefit those convenience and grocery stores that are already open on Sundays.
If the referendum's approved by voters the stores would be able to sell from 12:30 p.m. to 11:30 at night.
"I think an opening hour of 12:30 is good but may be they should close earlier," said Paul Cronin of Valdosta.
And the city manager says according to Georgia law they could further restrict the times.
"People if they want to drink they're going to go get it," said Mike Carter.
Mike Carter is the owner of the Valdosta DUI school.
"Florida did this several years ago, Sunday sales. Things in Florida didn't change that much as far as tickets or any other day. It was a typical day. The only reaction they had was from churches."
The city manager says they decided to consider it this year since there's already a city election and there'd be no extra cost to add the question on the ballot.
Council members could vote on the ordinance July 21st.
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