Voting for progress

By John Trump

Published: April 16, 2008

The move to approve liquor by the drink in Mayodan has nothing to do with sin – as some contend—and everything to do with giving the town a chance to progress and to take advantage of economic opportunities.
Approving the measure May 6 could lead to construction along U.S. 220 in the form of restaurants and hotels, which are sure to be filled at least twice each year when NASCAR’s Sprint Cup series comes to nearby Martinsville, Va. One need only assess the lack of hotels and places to eat between Greensboro and the Virginia border to realize the dearth of such accommodations.
Some opponents cite passages from the Bible that, they say, unquestionably define the consumption of alcohol as a sin that rails against the laws of Christianity. And more people will die as a result of drunken drivers, they say.
Christianity has many denominations, and some are more tolerant of things such as drinking alcohol than others. But that’s really beside the point. Attempts to dictate a government’s policy on a legal activity based on the teachings of a particular denomination are wrong and go against the laws of freedom on which this country was built.
We are all free to worship as we please, whether that be in a church that preaches about the evils of alcohol or one that tolerates consumption in moderation. And as we learned during Prohibition—and continue to face today in regard to drugs – declaring something illegal doesn’t stop people from indulging.
Beer and wine sales are legal in Mayodan. So, tell us please, what separates the fools who drink 12 beers or 12 glasses of wine and get behind the wheel from those who drink 12 whiskey sours or several martinis? Most successful restaurateurs will readily admit that much of their profit is derived from the sale of alcohol, and mid-scale national chains won’t even consider building in an area that prohibits mixed drinks. Rockingham County continues to suffer from the veritable loss of the tobacco industry and the exodus of textile jobs overseas. And increases to taxes and fees assessed against residents so towns can stay solvent aren’t going away.
Failing to approve this new form of revenue puts the city and region at a competitive disadvantage. Approving it doesn’t force people to buy something or frequent a place they morally oppose. But approving liquor by the drink gives this area a chance to grow and to offer something many travelers and visitors say they want. And when tax revenue is hard to come by, it gives local government revenue from what amounts to a user fee to pay for services.
Mayodan is benefiting from the addition of new industry as well as prominent retailers such as Lowe’s, which will open in the fall near Wal-Mart. The next step is attracting restaurants and hotels, but that won’t happen unless voters approve liquor by the drink. It’s important that people remain passionate about what they believe, but this country is falling under the weight of laws that infringe on our freedom and eliminate our right to choose what’s best for our families and for us.
We still hold the power to vote, and Mayodan residents should wield that power by voting for progress May 6.