Published: May 16, 2008 11:34 pm         

Sunday alcohol sales issue may be on Nov. ballot

OAKLAND - In November, along with voting for a new president, Garrett County residents likely will make a decision about whether alcohol will be served at restaurants in their district.

“It’s entirely up to the people to vote against or for,” Denny Glotfelty, Garrett County commission chairman, said. “I feel it’s best to let the people make that decision.”

The referendum vote was requested by the county commissioners, and both the state House of Delegates and Senate approved the bill. If the bill is signed by the governor, it will mean that on the November ballot there will be the option for residents to break the long-standing “blue law.”

Already, two districts — Avilton and the Elbow — allow for the sale of alcohol with food service. Voters approved the Sunday sale of alcohol in the last referendum vote in 1996, in the Elbow by 2 votes and Avilton by 40.

With the current bill requesting the repeal of the prohibition of alcohol sales, both areas will maintain their current allowance for Sunday sales.

If this passes in any of the other Garrett County districts, it would allow for a restaurant to serve alcohol with food sales only from 1 to 10 p.m.

Businesses interested in selling on Sundays would have to obtain a license that costs $250.

With the requirement of food sales, businesses such as liquor stores would not be able to sell alcohol on Sundays.

“Garrett County has always approached the issue of Sunday sales, blue laws‚ as voter choice,” Charlie Ross, president and chief executive officer of the county chamber of commerce, said. “The voters are given the option of whether to serve alcohol with food. Restaurants are a part of our constituency and they have formed a united front which we support and respect.”

When the vote last occurred, some of the tallies were close to approving the referendum, with 250 against and 242 for the Sunday sales in Finzel. Other areas, like Grantsville and east Oakland showed obvious opposition to the sales, with votes against it at 471-285 and 410-311, respectively.

Contact Sarah Moses at smoses@times-news.com..