WTOC, Savannah, Georgia, news, weather and sports | Richmond Hill to vote on Sunday alcohol sales
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By Michelle Paynter - bio | email
RICHMOND HILL, GA (WTOC) - Restaurants in Richmond Hill aren't allowed to serve alcohol on Sundays. But should they be able to? That's up to voters to decide in Tuesday's special election.
Doug Goolsby opened up Beef 'O' Brady's last year on Highway 144. Goolsby is leading a push to allow restaurants like his to serve alcohol on Sundays. "I don't think its up to the government to dictate moral or religious values," he said.
Of course not everyone agrees. Pastor Carlton Cooper of Bethel Baptist Church is encouraging his parishioners and others to vote no. "We're showing no regard and no respect for a day that has traditionally been a day for Christians to worship their God," Cooper said.
And Cooper fears allowing Sunday alcohol sales would open the door for other, more well-known restaurants, to come to town. He said that could hurt locally owned restaurants, including Beef 'O' Brady's. "I think ultimately it will maybe cost them business and we'd certainly not want to see that happen," said Cooper.
Goolsby doesn't see it that way. "I think if we got Sunday sales it would bring in more business," he said. "The more restaurants you have, it's going to keep people in Richmond Hill. I think on weekends a lot of people will leave Richmond Hill and go to Savannah because their choices are limited here."
One thing Goolsby and Cooper do agree on is the importance of casting your vote. They said they don't want a few folks changing a law that will effect everyone.
Richmond Hill registered voters can cast their ballot tomorrow from 7am to 7pm at the Wetlands Center in the back of JF Gregory Park.
