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More than 100 people attended three town hall meetings in Maysville Tuesday, Aug. 25, to air their concerns on the proposed sale of beer and wine in the town. The overwhelming majority were opposed to the idea. Only two people voiced support for the sale of beer and wine, while more than 50 people spoke in opposition to the proposed city ordinance.
Maysville Ward 3 council member Rebecca McNeely speaks to residents of her district at a town hall meeting Tuesday night. The meeting was held for citizens to give input on a proposed beer and wine ordinance.
Maysville residents opposed to sale of beer and wine
The Maysville City Council is considering an ordinance that would allow beer and wine to be sold at restaurants in the town. A first reading on the proposed ordinance will be held when the council meets at 7 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 14, at the public library. A work session will be held at 6 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 10, at the public library.
The council is reportedly considering the ordinance because a restaurant owner requested it earlier this year. Another resident of the town is reportedly renovating a building to locate sports tavern and wants to be able to offer beer and wine.
A work session will be held 6 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 3, at the public library for the council to review comments from the three town hall meetings held Tuesday night. This meeting had been scheduled for Aug. 27 but it was postponed due to illness.
WARD 1
At the Ward 1 town hall meeting Tuesday night, approximately 30 people attended with all of the residents of the district raising their hand to oppose the sale of beer and wine. Eight people spoke in opposition to the effort.
Melanie Stancil pointed out that when she served on a committee to update the town’s comprehensive plan, she heard “over and over again” that the residents “value the small town and family atmosphere.”
“We like it quiet and we want it to stay that way,” she said. “…If a bar opens in downtown Maysville, it will not attract an upscale clientele…This is a misguided attempt to try and improve the town.”
Justin Gooch said, “People need to search their hearts before they try to stir this up in a good Christian community like Maysville.”
WARD 3
The Ward 3 meeting was the most heated with several citizens questioned council representative Rebecca McNeely on her opinion on the proposal. McNeely said she is not opposed to the sale of beer and wine but that didn’t mean she would vote in favor of it.
“I’m going to have to do some real soul searching here, I’m not opposed to it [a pouring license] however, I am going to have to seriously think about if it is best for the community,” she said. “How I feel and how I vote are two different things… We are going to have a work shop on Thursday and I don’t know what the other folks [council members] are going through, but we are all going to come and this will be discussed. And I’m sure if the other three council members have any kind of turn out like this they can’t possibly be for it, and I don’t see any further discussion needed.”
McNeely also pointed out that she has heard about church members “staying late” to discuss this issue and that those opposed to the sale of beer and wine have called other residents about the issue to “harass” them.
“This issue is a hot button for everybody, but it’s not worth fighting among yourself for," she said.
McNeely also questioned those in attendance about how anyone could condone “white lightning” in the town, but be opposed to the sale of beer and wine. This angered those present with many saying they didn’t know anything about “white lightning” being in the town and they would report it if they did.
Many of those in attendance spoke against the sale of beer and wine, while only two spoke in favor of it. One lady, who didn’t identify herself, said the sale of beer and wine would add to the town’s tax base.
Among those speaking in opposition was Charlie Howington, who addressed safety concerns with alcohol being sold in the town.
He asked, “Once someone from out of town comes in [to the restaurants] and has one drink, or two drinks or three, how are they going to get back home? They are going to go get into their car and go right back on the highway…One thing I hope that you and the other city council members do is stand behind the citizens of Maysville. The citizens of Maysville are definitely against this alcohol pouring, bottom line.”
Jay Moore said, “There is a democracy in this country and the authority of the city council is irrelevant. I don’t care what you say about authority, you are responsible for to the citizens who elected you.”
Former mayor and council member William Austin said, “I cannot seem to understand why you want to create a problem that is going to require hiring two more police officers and raising taxes in town…We didn’t need it [alcohol] back in the years I was there and we don’t need it now.”
Janelle Hooper, who has lived in the town 61 years, said, “I chose to stay in Maysville because it was a clean little town with little crime and no alcohol. I love Maysville and want it to stay this way…If they [assume those who want alcohol] don’t like Maysville, they can move on.”
WARD 4
At Stephan Lewis’ Ward 4 meeting, approximately 45 people attended with 22 speaking in opposition to the sale of beer and wine.
“I’m very opposed to beer and wine,” Gladys Cochran said. “It’s not fair for the older people to have to pay for this (costs associated with implementing the sale of beer and wine)…I’m absolutely opposed to this.”
Clark Williams said, “I’m opposed to it. It doesn’t make sense to me. I don’t see why people would come here for beer and wine.”
Bud Klugh also spoke in opposition to the sale of beer and wine and said, “When I think of Maysville, I think how fortunate I am to live here and be blessed with neighbors like this…We need to be concerned about the quality of our community.”
Klugh said, “I hope and pray you will hear the heart of the people. We are against a substance that tears lives apart and destroys families. Alcohol has destroyed marriages.”
Wade Lott said he is concerned with the safety issues and pointed out that those who drink in the community would be a danger on the road.
“My concern for those who would drink beer and wine is that they would then get in a car,” he said. “Please vote against this.”
Richard Pressley, a former mayor who has lived in Maysville for 55 years, said, “I see no good out of this…I never saw a time they city needed any revenue from alcohol sales…We have come a long way in this town…I respect the older folks here. They are the backbone of our town. Please consider the people who built this community…I am against the issue. We do not need what you are being asked to consider.”
Another long-time resident of the town pointed out that he used to drink and know the problems it brings.
“I’ve drunk enough to float this town,” he said. “…I don’t now…I can’t see anything good out of it…I know both sides of it. I’ve been through this town drunk as many times as I have been sober. There is nothing good to come out of it. I’ve had friends killed because of it…It will destroy families in more ways than one…Vote with your heart.”
James Brooks agreed on the destruction beer and wine causes to families.
“We do not need this mess in Maysville,” he said. “I’ve seen too many homes broke up and families ruined.”
Lois Harper, who served as city clerk for more than 21 years, said the town always operated in the black and didn’t have financial problems.
“We may not have everything others had, but we had peace and harmony,” she said.
Betty Brooks, a former city clerk and employee at the post office, said, “What people do in their own home is their own business. What they are trying to do to our town is our business…I’m proud of Maysville. The main thing we have is our love for each other.”
WARD 2
Ward 2 council member Lynn Villyard will hold a town hall meeting for residents of her district at 7 p.m. Tuesday at the community club building.
The council is reportedly considering the ordinance because a restaurant owner requested it earlier this year. Another resident of the town is reportedly renovating a building to locate sports tavern and wants to be able to offer beer and wine.
A work session will be held 6 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 3, at the public library for the council to review comments from the three town hall meetings held Tuesday night. This meeting had been scheduled for Aug. 27 but it was postponed due to illness.
WARD 1
At the Ward 1 town hall meeting Tuesday night, approximately 30 people attended with all of the residents of the district raising their hand to oppose the sale of beer and wine. Eight people spoke in opposition to the effort.
Melanie Stancil pointed out that when she served on a committee to update the town’s comprehensive plan, she heard “over and over again” that the residents “value the small town and family atmosphere.”
“We like it quiet and we want it to stay that way,” she said. “…If a bar opens in downtown Maysville, it will not attract an upscale clientele…This is a misguided attempt to try and improve the town.”
Justin Gooch said, “People need to search their hearts before they try to stir this up in a good Christian community like Maysville.”
WARD 3
The Ward 3 meeting was the most heated with several citizens questioned council representative Rebecca McNeely on her opinion on the proposal. McNeely said she is not opposed to the sale of beer and wine but that didn’t mean she would vote in favor of it.
“I’m going to have to do some real soul searching here, I’m not opposed to it [a pouring license] however, I am going to have to seriously think about if it is best for the community,” she said. “How I feel and how I vote are two different things… We are going to have a work shop on Thursday and I don’t know what the other folks [council members] are going through, but we are all going to come and this will be discussed. And I’m sure if the other three council members have any kind of turn out like this they can’t possibly be for it, and I don’t see any further discussion needed.”
McNeely also pointed out that she has heard about church members “staying late” to discuss this issue and that those opposed to the sale of beer and wine have called other residents about the issue to “harass” them.
“This issue is a hot button for everybody, but it’s not worth fighting among yourself for," she said.
McNeely also questioned those in attendance about how anyone could condone “white lightning” in the town, but be opposed to the sale of beer and wine. This angered those present with many saying they didn’t know anything about “white lightning” being in the town and they would report it if they did.
Many of those in attendance spoke against the sale of beer and wine, while only two spoke in favor of it. One lady, who didn’t identify herself, said the sale of beer and wine would add to the town’s tax base.
Among those speaking in opposition was Charlie Howington, who addressed safety concerns with alcohol being sold in the town.
He asked, “Once someone from out of town comes in [to the restaurants] and has one drink, or two drinks or three, how are they going to get back home? They are going to go get into their car and go right back on the highway…One thing I hope that you and the other city council members do is stand behind the citizens of Maysville. The citizens of Maysville are definitely against this alcohol pouring, bottom line.”
Jay Moore said, “There is a democracy in this country and the authority of the city council is irrelevant. I don’t care what you say about authority, you are responsible for to the citizens who elected you.”
Former mayor and council member William Austin said, “I cannot seem to understand why you want to create a problem that is going to require hiring two more police officers and raising taxes in town…We didn’t need it [alcohol] back in the years I was there and we don’t need it now.”
Janelle Hooper, who has lived in the town 61 years, said, “I chose to stay in Maysville because it was a clean little town with little crime and no alcohol. I love Maysville and want it to stay this way…If they [assume those who want alcohol] don’t like Maysville, they can move on.”
WARD 4
At Stephan Lewis’ Ward 4 meeting, approximately 45 people attended with 22 speaking in opposition to the sale of beer and wine.
“I’m very opposed to beer and wine,” Gladys Cochran said. “It’s not fair for the older people to have to pay for this (costs associated with implementing the sale of beer and wine)…I’m absolutely opposed to this.”
Clark Williams said, “I’m opposed to it. It doesn’t make sense to me. I don’t see why people would come here for beer and wine.”
Bud Klugh also spoke in opposition to the sale of beer and wine and said, “When I think of Maysville, I think how fortunate I am to live here and be blessed with neighbors like this…We need to be concerned about the quality of our community.”
Klugh said, “I hope and pray you will hear the heart of the people. We are against a substance that tears lives apart and destroys families. Alcohol has destroyed marriages.”
Wade Lott said he is concerned with the safety issues and pointed out that those who drink in the community would be a danger on the road.
“My concern for those who would drink beer and wine is that they would then get in a car,” he said. “Please vote against this.”
Richard Pressley, a former mayor who has lived in Maysville for 55 years, said, “I see no good out of this…I never saw a time they city needed any revenue from alcohol sales…We have come a long way in this town…I respect the older folks here. They are the backbone of our town. Please consider the people who built this community…I am against the issue. We do not need what you are being asked to consider.”
Another long-time resident of the town pointed out that he used to drink and know the problems it brings.
“I’ve drunk enough to float this town,” he said. “…I don’t now…I can’t see anything good out of it…I know both sides of it. I’ve been through this town drunk as many times as I have been sober. There is nothing good to come out of it. I’ve had friends killed because of it…It will destroy families in more ways than one…Vote with your heart.”
James Brooks agreed on the destruction beer and wine causes to families.
“We do not need this mess in Maysville,” he said. “I’ve seen too many homes broke up and families ruined.”
Lois Harper, who served as city clerk for more than 21 years, said the town always operated in the black and didn’t have financial problems.
“We may not have everything others had, but we had peace and harmony,” she said.
Betty Brooks, a former city clerk and employee at the post office, said, “What people do in their own home is their own business. What they are trying to do to our town is our business…I’m proud of Maysville. The main thing we have is our love for each other.”
WARD 2
Ward 2 council member Lynn Villyard will hold a town hall meeting for residents of her district at 7 p.m. Tuesday at the community club building.
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If you have information concerning residents with illegal liquor then you better give the information to the local authorties. If you know of people with white lighting and you do not report it then we ought to report you to the ATF. You are a council member and you took a oath like a officer to up hold the law and standards. You better do the right thing and clean this up if it is true. If you do not then I will act on other actions.
What other actions are you referring to?