By Stephen Dawkins

Whether or not the vote turned out the way you wanted, it’s hard to argue that the people of Jemison won’t be getting their way when it comes to alcohol sales in the city.
On Jan. 12, 466 Jemison residents voted “yes,” and 213 voted “no.”
“The people have spoken,” Jemison Mayor Eddie Reed said about the referendum. “They sent a strong message.”
Reed said the city would work with its attorney and the ABC Board to complete the process necessary to begin selling alcohol in the city. Reed would not estimate when sales might actually begin.
Proponents of alcohol sales probably want to see the restaurants start popping up at the city’s interstate exit, while those on the losing side of the vote might be convinced their city is headed south…in a hand basket.
The truth, as always, is probably somewhere in the middle.
It can’t hurt Jemison’s chances at landing new business that those businesses can sell alcohol if they want. And there will surely be some problems caused by alcohol sold by city businesses. Whether those problems would have been avoided in a dry Jemison—where residents could still make a short drive to Calera or Clanton for their purchases—is another matter for debate.
The important thing is that the state Legislature, and then Jemison officials, put the decision in voters’ hands, and the voters made their decision.
The democratic process isn’t over, though. No matter which way you voted, you still have the task of making sure alcohol sales in Jemison are done responsibly.
Instead of becoming divided over an issue that has been settled, the only course of action now is to work together to make Jemison the best it can be.

– Stephen Dawkins is sports editor of The North Chilton Advertiser.

By Scott Mims

Now that the city of Jemison will go wet, both city leaders and local business owners are preparing for the coming change.

To recap, the results of Tuesday’s special election were as follows: 466 “yes” votes in favor of the sale of alcoholic beverages, and 213 “no” votes.

“The people have spoken. They sent a strong message,” Jemison Mayor Eddie Reed said Wednesday.

Reed said the city would work with its attorney and the ABC Board to complete needed paperwork.

The mayor didn’t want to put a timeline on how long that process would take.

“We will not estimate (when alcohol will be sold in Jemison),” Reed said.

Kenny Davis of the State ABC Board said when a municipality goes wet, the council must pass ordinances establishing rules and regulations, and determining what type of licenses will be issued.

In the meantime, business owners will have to decide whether they will sell alcohol in their stores or restaurants. Some say the sale of alcoholic beverages will increase their business.

“I think it’s going to be great for Jemison,” said Sue Bolton, owner of Sue’s Mart on Highway 191.

Bolton said several customers had inquired whether the store would apply for a license or not.

Still, others do not plan to take advantage of the change, such as LaMerle Hamm, owner of Piggly Wiggly on Highway 31.

“I will not sell alcohol in my store. I know what it will do for you. It’s against my Christian beliefs,” Hamm said.

Managing Editor Justin Averette contributed to this report.

By Scott Mims

A majority of Jemison residents voted in favor of the legal sale and distribution of alcoholic beverages Tuesday, by a margin of more than 250.
The unofficial results were 466 “yes” and 213 “no,” with 679 precinct voters participating.
All seven absentee votes were in favor of the measure.
After 7 p.m., a few people were standing outside the fire station, which served as the only polling place. Among them was resident Thaddeus Martin Sr., who was pleased with the results.
“I supported it mainly for revenue to come in and help our schools,” Martin said. “I believe some of the revenue could go toward Dixie Youth and the parents that can’t afford to participate.”
Residents Jimmy and Joyce Posey placed a sign in their yard asking people to join them in voting “no.”
“I see all the corruption caused by alcohol,” she said, with her husband agreeing. “I have seen many families that have been destroyed by alcohol. I’m thankful that mine hasn’t.”
Posey added, “I think it’s a shame that we the people of Jemison have let this happen.”
Jemison will now join Clanton as the second municipality in Chilton County to become wet. This June, Thorsby residents will vote on the issue.
As of press time Tuesday night, Jemison Mayor Eddie Reed could not be reached for comment.

By Scott Mims

The Jemison City Council voted last Monday night to enter into a three-year lease agreement for the purchase of five new police vehicles.
The agreement is with Creative Leasing at $59,000 annually starting in January 2011, Jemison Police Chief Shane Fulmer said.
“The majority of our fleet are 2005 models that are at or nearing 100,000 miles,” Fulmer said. “We appreciate the mayor and the council’s support to give us equipment that is safe for us to be able to provide our services to citizens.”
In addition to safety concerns, when vehicles reach the 100,000-mile mark they begin to cost more in regular maintenance and repairs, Fulmer added.
In other business, the council approved poll workers for the upcoming wet/dry special election. The poll workers will be Neal Clements, Ann Thomas, Helen Atchison and Connie Haggard.
The election will be held Tuesday, Jan. 12, 2010 at the Jemison Fire Station located at 191 Main St. The poll will be open from 7 a.m. until 7 p.m.
The special election was set by the council after accepting a petition bearing more than the required 220 signatures, or 30 percent, of registered voters participating in the last municipal election.
The question will appear on the ballot as follows: “Do you favor the legal sale and distribution of alcoholic beverages within the city limits of Jemison, Alabama?” Voters will then mark either “Yes” or “No” on their ballot.

The council also:
•Accepted a petition for Collum Street residents to install speed breakers
•Approved speed breakers for Collum Street
•Declared a JCB backhoe as salvage
•Entered into an executive session for the following reasons: 1) to consider the discipline or dismissal of or to hear formal written complaints or charges brought against a public employee, 2) to discuss preliminary negotiations involving matters of trade or commerce in which the entity is in competition with private individuals
•Entered into a second executive session for the discussion of good name and character.

By Scott Mims

The Jemison City Council approved a resolution Monday night setting a special election for a wet/dry referendum.
A petition was presented to the council with 336 signatures, 230 of which were registered voters of the city. The petition had to bear a minimum of 220 signatures from registered voters to warrant a referendum.
The election will be held Tuesday, Jan. 12, 2010 at the Jemison Fire Station located at 191 Main St. from 7 a.m. until 7 p.m.
Mayor Eddie Reed said the council approved the resolution in order to give citizens an opportunity to vote on the issue.
“It’s the people’s decision, not the council’s decision,” he said.
A new law enacted by the Alabama Legislature allows municipalities with a population of 1,000 or more to hold a wet/dry referendum. The minimum number of signatures equals 30 percent of the registered voters who turned out for the city’s last general election.
The question will appear on the ballot as follows: “Do you favor the legal sale and distribution of alcoholic beverages within the city limits of Jemison, Alabama?”
Voters will then mark either “Yes” or “No” on their ballot.
In other business, new water lines have been connected in the recently annexed Oak Grove community, Reed announced. The next step is to pave roads in the area. The city is currently awaiting contractors.
Also, the council discussed possibly changing the date for the Christmas Tree Lighting. A final date and time will be announced later.

By The Clanton Advertiser staff

Rural towns in Alabama now have more freedom in deciding whether alcoholic beverages can be sold within their corporate limits.
Thanks to a new law enacted by the Alabama Legislature, any town with 1,000 or more citizens may put the wet/dry issue on the ballot with signatures from 30 percent of the town’s most recent election turnout.
Thorsby and Jemison fall into this category. Of course, the city of Clanton is already wet while rural Chilton County remains dry.
The town of Thorsby is getting close to putting the issue to a vote. With 145 signatures counted, they only need 14 more signatures from registered voters to close the deal.
Jemison has set a special election for a wet/dry referendum for Jan. 12, 2010.
We think it’s a good thing that these cities and towns can vote on this issue.
While not everyone will agree that revenue from the sale of alcoholic beverages is the way to go, at least the people in each town can vote on it. This is a decision that should be made by locals, not somebody in Montgomery.
Because this referendum may be included in next year’s elections, it doesn’t have to cost municipalities anything.
Regardless of one’s stance, it cannot hurt to vote. These kinds of freedoms are what America is all about.
If indeed there are enough signatures to warrant a referendum, then let the people speak and decide what they want — or do not want — for their town.