Hopkinsville City Council will consider amending a 63-year old ordinance to allow Sunday alcohol sales after action by the Committee of the Whole Thursday night.
Councilman Travis Martin said that it’s time for the city to change its ordinance to allow alcohol sales on Sunday.
click to download audioHe then made a motion to forward an ordinance amendment to the city council that would allow Sunday alcohol sales in the city limits by both the drink and also package stores, and to allow businesses with an alcohol license to operate on Sundays as they do the other six days of the week.
Councilman Chuck Crabtree said if they amended this ordinance it needs to be for all businesses.
Council also discussed alcohol sales on Election Day and Christmas Day, which is currently prohibited under the city ordinance, along with changing the time alcohol can be sold by the drink at restaurants from 1:00 to 11:00 on Sundays.
Councilman Phillips Brooks pointed out this was a hot topic several years ago when they amended the ordinance to allow alcohol by the drink on Sundays beginning at 1:00. He added there may be issues with changing the time and allowing alcohol sales on Christmas.
click to download audioHe added it’s more of a morality thing more than anything else.
Councilman Steve Keel said he didn’t disagree with what Brooks said and he understands that side of it, but different faiths celebrate on different days. He said they are hurting the local restaurant industry if they don’t change the time to 11:00 and he doesn’t want to legislate morality.
click to download audioCouncilwoman Patricia Waddell-Bell said she would be voting against changing the ordinance at this meeting.
click to download audioCommittee Chair Amy Craig said she doesn’t drink but she does appreciate having the freedom to choose.
click to download audioCouncilwoman Alethea West said she is for allowing Christmas Day sales but she is not for Election Day sales because it’s their responsibility as legislators to protect that process.
click to download audioCouncilman Terry Parker added he’s just the opposite and he doesn’t really care about Election Day but he does care about Christmas Day and he doesn’t know if that would be a deal-breaker for him.
Councilman Martin then amended his initial motion.
click to download audioPatricia Waddell-Bell was the lone no vote. Councilman Tom Johnson was absent from the meeting.
In order to allow time for the ordinance to be amended, it will not be on the city council’s agenda until June.
To hear the entire discussion, click on the audio below.
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