GUNTOWN, Miss. (WTVA) -- Sunday sales of beer and light wine in Guntown will begin February 7.
Businessman Chuck Scott asked aldermen to approve those sales. He knew that request would not be popular with everyone, including local minister Scotty Floyd.
"People have got their things to do to buy beer and everything, but I don't think it ought to be sold on Sunday," Floyd said.
Scott said support for Sunday beer sales is out there and not just in convenience stores.
He conducted his own poll before asking aldermen to approve Sunday beer and light wine sales.
Four of five aldermen voted in favor of Sunday sales.
He believes the ordinance will benefit local restaurants like his.
"They would love a place they can go to stay local, enjoy their sports, enjoy their lunch or their dinner and have an alcoholic beverage with it," Scott said.
Scott said sales tax revenues will make it worth Guntown's while.
Mayor Robert Herring has his doubts.
"Will we have enough money coming in on Sunday to take care of the extra law enforcement? It's gonna cost. It's a fact that we probably will have more law enforcement," Mayor Herring said.
Police Chief Michael Hall said it could require more patrols.
"We're hoping it will decrease the travel of influenced drivers that's under the influence of alcohol where they don't have so far to drive," Chief Hall said.
Convenience store operators who plan to sell beer hope that beer run will keep customers local.
They get repeated requests for Sunday beer sales.
"They'll come in here, and they will go back there and get it out of the cooler and bring it up here," convenience store employee Paula Barnett said.
She said she has to turn them down regularly on Sundays.
When the ordinance goes into effect, beer and light wine sales will be allowed on Sundays from 1 p.m. until midnight.
