Beer and wine vote divides town

WHITE LAKE, NC (WWAY) — On March 15, folks in White Lake are going to vote on whether they want to allow malt beverages and unfortified wine to be sold within the town.

“I’m somewhat in a neutral zone. Probably won’t know how I’ll vote until I actually walk in to the voting booth,” said Bill Watson, the manager of Carolyn’s Court.

Residents are divided on the issue.

“This is the Baptist belt plus it will cause a lot of commotion if we have more alcohol and beer in a place where a lot of people want to come and relax and not be around stuff like that,”said William Whitley, the manager of Brisson’s Cottages.

Some said the resort community is a family area and keeping alcohol sales out of the town will help preserve that ambiance. But others said selling beer and wine could boost the town’s economy.

“I guess if I owned a convenience store or something here at the lake, I might be a little upset if I couldn’t sell it, yet the man seven miles up the road can sell it,” said Watson.

Seven miles up the road is Elizabethtown, where folks can currently go to purchase drinks.