MALT BEVERAGE REFERENDUM - SEPTEMBER 19, 2006

Webmaster note: This month the community will have an opportunity to voice their opinion concerning the sale of malt beverages.

Below is information that has been distributed by the local group,
Cleveland's Voice for a Choice:


MALT BEVERAGE REFERENDUM
CLEVELAND TOWNSHIP, JOHNSTON COUNTY
SEPTEMBER 19, 2006
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS


Q: Why should I vote in favor of this referendum?
A: The reasons are many. Some are:

1. Will of the People. In 1997 and again in 2002, Cleveland voters participated in a county-wide malt beverage referendum. These votes, if passed, would have permitted malt beverage sales all over Johnston County. Although the voters in Cleveland voted overwhelmingly in favor of such sales, enough voters in other parts of the County voted against such sales to overcome the will of the Cleveland voters. The referendum on September 19, 2006 will allow us to determine for ourselves what sales will be allowed in our community, without the residents in the other parts of the County imposing their will on us.


2. Fairness. Seven towns in Johnston County allow malt beverage sales (Clayton, Smithfield, Selma, Benson, Four Oaks, Kenly, Wilson’s Mills). It is simply unfair for us to have to drive to one of those towns to purchase beer. We should have the same rights as residents of those towns.


3. Economic Development. Major grocery chains have repeatedly refused to locate in Cleveland because they cannot sell beer. Approving malt beverage sales in Cleveland will cause major grocery chains to locate to our community. Many high-end restaurants and other businesses will follow suit.


4. Increased Tax Base. The increase in commercial development will increase the tax base in our community substantially higher than if the land so developed was populated only by homes. Such increases in the tax base will help keep our property tax rates as low as possible. The tax revenue from such development will greatly assist with the future construction of schools for our community.


5. Help Prevent Annexation. Recently a developer requested that the Town of Clayton annex property at the intersection of Highway 42 and Highway 50. The purpose of this request was to allow a high end grocery store tenant the opportunity to sell beer. If this referendum passes, there would be one less reason for any future developer in the area to desire annexation.


Q: I have heard this is a “Township Referendum.” Does that mean this is a vote to determine whether to form a Town of our own?
A: Absolutely not. A “Township” is merely a geographical region. Johnston County is divided into 17 geographical regions called “Townships” (Banner, Bentonville, Beulah, Boon Hill, Clayton, CLEVELAND, Elevation, Ingrams, Meadow, Micro, O’Neals, Pine Level, Pleasant Grove, Selma, Smithfield, Wilders, and Wilson’s Mills). In some of these geographical regions (Townships), the residents have at some point incorporated their own Towns. The Towns can have the same name as the Township in which they are located (e.g. Clayton, Smithfield, Selma), or they can have a distinct name (e.g. the Town of Benson is located in Banner Township). The referendum on September 19, 2006 is called a “Township Referendum” simply because only the registered voters in OUR TOWNSHIP (this is, Cleveland) are voting and the results will only apply to our Township. This is NOT a referendum to form a new town.



Q: What is a “Malt Beverage”?
A: For all practical purposes, malt beverage is beer.



Q: Do I live in Cleveland Township?
A: Maybe. Cleveland Township is bounded by Wake County on the West, Dickenson Road (near Elizabeth Church) on the East, White Oak Creek to Austin Pond to Swift Creek on the North, and Middle Creek on the South. If you are unsure if you are in this area, you may call the Johnston County Board of Elections at 989-5095. If you are a registered voter in either of the North Cleveland or the South Cleveland precincts, you are a resident of Cleveland Township.


Q: Am I registered to vote?
A: Call the Johnston County Board of Elections at 989-5095 to find out. You must be registered to vote no later than 25 days prior to the referendum to vote.


Q: I recently moved to Cleveland but have not changed my voter registration. Is it too late for me to change my registration?
A: It is now. Again, you must be registered to vote no later than 25 days prior to the referendum to vote.


Q: Where do I vote?
A: If you are registered in the North Cleveland precinct, you vote at the Cleveland Community Church. If you are registered in the South Cleveland precinct, you vote at the Cleveland Volunteer Fire Department.


Q: What am I voting for?
A: If the referendum passes, grocery stores in Cleveland Township will be allowed to sale beer. As you know, if you want to buy beer now, you have to go to one of 2 or 3 convenience stores in the area, or go to a grocery store in Clayton, Smithfield, Selma, Benson, Four Oaks, Kenly, Wilson’s Mills, or Wake County.


Q: Why can’t grocery stores in Johnston County, outside of towns referenced above, sell beer now?
A: Good question. Under North Carolina law, alcohol sales are heavily regulated. Beer sales are not allowed unless the voters approve the sales where they live. There have been 2 “recent” efforts to allow beer sales in Johnston County, in 1997 and 2002. Both times, the referendum was defeated county-wide by a small margin, even though the voters in Cleveland voted overwhelmingly in favor of such sales.


Q: How is this referendum different than the previous two?
A: The 1997 and 2002 referendums were county-wide. That is, all voters in the county were voting to allow or to not allow the sale of beer all over Johnston County. This referendum is for Cleveland voters only and if successful will allow beer sales only in Cleveland Township. The rest of the County will not be affected.


Q: Why can some convenience stores in Cleveland sell beer, but grocery stores cannot?
A: Another good question. In the 1997 vote referenced above, there were actually 2 questions on the ballot – one for sales of liquor by the drink and the other for sales of malt beverages. Although the malt beverage question failed by a small margin, the liquor by the drink question passed by a small margin. Thus, in Johnston County, establishments that are allowed under law to sell liquor by the drink (such as restaurants) can obtain a permit for such sales in the County. Under the alcohol laws, any business that has a liquor by the drink permit can also sell beer. Restaurants are allowed such permits. Grocery stores cannot, under the law. Accordingly, several convenience stores include a restaurant to allow them to obtain a liquor by the drink permit, which in turn allows them to sell beer.


Q: How can grocery stores in Clayton, Smithfield, Selma, Benson, Four Oaks, Kenly, Wilson’s Mills sell beer?
A: Incorporated towns can make their own rules regarding alcohol sales, and these towns have approved beer sales.


Q: How can grocery stores in Wake County, not inside a town, sell beer?
A: Voters of Wake County previously approved the sale of beer in their entire county.


Q: If I can get beer at convenience stores, why should I care whether grocery stores can sell it?
A: Typically, beer distributors sell beer to grocery stores cheaper than they sell it to convenience stores. Thus, you save money.

 

Vote for beer!!!!!

Crazy that we have an A B C store, Foodlion sells wine but one can't buy beer?
The only reason the stores close to Hwy 40 sell beer is they found a loophole. I guess if they are 1/4 or 1/2 of a mile close to the highway it is a federal area and they can sell beer. I didn't know that until I asked at the BP at 40-42. I found it very interesting. Their lawyer found the loophole. This is what I was told anyway.

 

I think it has more to do with them selling food at these locations, therefore they are allowed to sell beer.

 

Exactly, if they have specified number of tables and sell food, they are allowed to sell beer such as Wendy's and Hess, as long as they are owned by the same owner.

 

well I guess I was talking about the convenience/gas stores not the eating establishments like wendy's or burger king.

 

Same thing - if they are selling beer you will see tables inside or they are attached to a restaurant.

 

oh I see. Well, I also want to say this. This area wasn't so big in the last two votes and I feel that the "old timers" from here had the majority vote on this. Now that this area is growing, if everyone would vote, I think it would pass. Didn't it come pretty close last time?

 

the last 2 would have passed if they had been this area only, but the rest of the county (for some reason) blocked it. with this area only voting for its self it should be no problem to pass now.

 

I think selling Beer is a good idea. I would love to see a Lowes Food or Harris Teeter on 42. I would like to know what the reason was with the rest of the County voting NO??? Maybe it was the moonshiners voting! At least the brewers go thru specific sanatation requirements when brewing beer. I would not think a moonshine steel would pass regulations.

 

Someone had a good sense of humor when they named A.L.E.

 

Be sure to get out & VOTE on Sept. 19th.

 

Here's your answer:

That's like opening up the flood gate for transplants even wider. Why would the locals want that? That's a perfect reason to vote NO.

Another sad example that Cleveland residents really don't have a lot in common with Johnston county, but are just spillover from a much less desirable place - Wake County.

I love an ice cold beer, but if it would stop development in JC, I'd never drink another one. I know that change is inevitable, but I'm not looking forward to Johnston County becoming just like Wake County. If that's your goal you're going to have to pull me along scratching and clawing because I'm going to make it just as difficult as I personally can. :wink:

 

I'll never forget when we first moved here... Mrs. Oy's a nurse, and stopped at the Food Lion at 40/42 back when they didn't know what Feta cheese was. Of course, she was dressed in scrubs. She picked up a bottle of wine, and people stared at her all through the store. When she got to the register, the bagger, an older gentleman, picked up the bottle of wine she was buying, and asked, "Do you really need this?" Not missing a beat, she answered, "No, but my husband does."

Around that same time, I had another experience at that Food Lion. I was in the checkout line, and there was a man in front of me with a toddler daughter. I was dressed in a dress shirt and dress pants. The cashier said something to me, and upon my reply, with its obvious absence of a Southern accent, I guess, sort-of cringed and pulled his daughter closer.

Josey, was that you?

 

My first trip to the 4042 Food Lion I was appalled to see a kid CLIMBING on the two liter soda display. The kids said "This one, Dad?" Dad turned around and I was waiting for him to yank him down and beat him in true southern fashion.... but instead he said "Yep, that's the one son". :shock:

It would have only been a five foot drop on concrete floor had he fell. :roll:

 

Remember Sept 19th is International Pirates Day, bring your swords and keep those skallywags in line!

 

Hilarious! :lol:

Grab the women and children, the Yankee invasion has started and we've got to get outta here!!

A really thick "Joysie owa Bastan" accent is however painful enough to make me cringe. Its much worse than fingernails down a chalkboard. My northern friends love to watch me writhe in pain. :lol:

 

So if we vote beer, you ladies can have your Harris Teeter right? Sounds like a good trade off to me.

Go vote!!!!

There is nothing like a ICE COLD beer after a hard day of hot yardwork or work period.

 

Just curious ...how did this referendum come to be a special election for Cleveland township? Did someone from the township petition the commissioners and then they voted to allow the referendum? How does that work?

 

http://4042.appcomm.net/forums/viewtopic.php?t=9752&highlight=referendum

 

Even I couldn't live with Fran Drescher!