Columbus County referendum on expanded alcohol sales sparks debate over safety, economic growth

WHITEVILLE, NC (WWAY) — A referendum that would expand alcohol sales into unincorporated areas of Columbus County is drawing passionate reactions from residents, clergy, and business owners ahead of a November vote.

The referendum, approved by commissioners in a 6-1 vote back on April 20th, would ask voters whether malt beverages, unfortified wine, and mixed beverages should be allowed for sale in unincorporated parts of the county. Each category would appear as a separate question on the ballot.

Support for and opposition against the referendum have grown since commissioners approved putting it on the ballot.

“I am a delivered alcoholic and drug addict,” said Jonathan Walton, pastor of Transformation Church.

Walton shared his personal experience with alcohol abuse, describing a drunk driving crash that left him with severe injuries.

“I get in a car crash, April 22nd, 2006. I crushed my face, I broke, this is a dead man’s bone for a nose, titanium forehead and a plasterized socket. I broke both jaws,” Walton said.

Now, years later, Walton is speaking out against the proposed referendum, as he held a protest outside Monday’s Columbus County commissioners meeting.

Joining Walton at the protest was fellow pastor Michael Lee, who said he lost his leg after being hit head-on by a drunk driver.

Lee added that expanding access to alcohol is dangerous.

“From ministry experience, I have seen divorce rates from it. I have seen marriage failures as a result of it. I have seen domestic violence from it,” Lee said.

Currently, alcohol sales are permitted at restaurants, hotels and bars in Lake Waccamaw, Whiteville and Chadbourn. The referendum would not establish a new ABC store.

Supporters of the proposal say expanding alcohol sales could help stimulate economic growth in rural areas of the county.

“I can tell there is a lot of optimism that this would pass,” said Guillaume Slama, owner and operator of The Chef and the Frog.

Slama said broader alcohol sales could make the county more attractive for restaurants and other businesses.

“Alcohol sales will create economic opportunities,” Slama said. “We have created 19 jobs within this community, which was a poor community. And now, if alcohol sales are allowed in this county, this may allow for more economic development. It may allow for somebody else to come in and build a restaurant and hire more people and create more jobs.”

Despite their differing views, both Walton and Slama said personal responsibility remains central to the debate.

“Think of your neighbor, think of those who could possibly lose their life, think of the crime,” Walton said. “Just don’t go make a decision because you want to have a good Friday night.”

“I think that just because we have more places that will sell alcohol doesn’t mean we’re gonna have more drunks or that we get, we have more incidents,” Slama said. “If people are responsible enough to say, ‘Hey, you know what, you had enough, let’s quit right there,’ these things won’t happen.”