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Thomasville votes for legal alcohol sales Jackson will soon have company in the sale of alcoholic beverages in dry Clarke County. Thomasville voters approved legalized sales in their municipality Tuesday. The vote in Thomasville was 948 "yes" votes to 702 "no" votes, a 246-vote majority or 57 percent. It was the largest municipal vote in Thomasville's history with 58 percent of the city's voters casting ballots. Mayor Sheldon Day had endorsed legalized sales, reasoning that the city could earn tax revenue from alcohol that is now being purchased elsewhere. He also said that legalized sales would be a catalyst for economic development. The city's chamber of commerce and its industrial development board also endorsed legalized sales. Day explained, "I strongly feel that this is- at least from a perceived standpoint from industry and businesses who are looking at coming to Thomasville - a shot in the arm in making us more attractive." Rob Moore chaired the drys' "Citizens Against Alcohol Sales in Thomasville" and was at city hall for the vote tally. Local churches and others worked hard against the measure. "We are disappointed in the outcome," Moore said. "We are thankful for those who worked hard against it [legalized sales] but the majority said that's what they wanted so that's what they will have." Day said it would take a few weeks to get the city's alcohol control ordinance in place as well as an oversight committee that will help issue and regulate alcohol licenses. The city will be working with the state Alcohol Beverage Control (ABC) agency. Day estimated that sales should start by Oct. 1. Thomasville becomes the 17th city in the state to allow alcohol sales within 26 counties in Alabama that are dry.
On a related note, the city of Athens, in dry Limestone County in north Alabama, voted to retain its wet status two years after voting wet. Dry forces had sought the revote on the matter.
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