Rally for Sunday sales vote a quiet one
A rally Wednesday at the state Capitol by those supporting local votes on Sunday sales of alcohol drew few people.
About 40 supporters raised their voices for legislators to pass bills in the state Senate and House that would allow communities to decide by local referendum whether to sell alcohol on Sunday. Georgia is one of three states that do not allow Sunday retail sales of liquor, wine and beer, though Georgians can buy alcohol in restaurants and bars.
The Senate bill was moving well until Republicans, who hold a majority, decided last week after a secret caucus vote to shelve it.
Jamie Dempsey, a Gwinnett County organizer of the rally, and other speakers said local communities, not legislators, should decide the issue.
Brett Bittner, the executive director of the Georgia Libertarian Party, said, "We are tired of business being decided behind closed doors."
About the Author
Christopher Quinn is a writer and editor who has worked for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution since 1999. He writes stories on Veterans Affairs, business including high-tech growth in metro Atlanta, Georgia's $72 billion farm economy, and he oversees assigning and editing news obituaries.
