Reduced size, hours approved with 3 members absent
With three of its members absent, the Town Council on Tuesday adopted without expressed dissent an ordinance to establish a district where consumption of alcoholic beverages at outdoor public places is permitted, but only during afternoon and evening hours four days each week.
Councilman Sloan Stevens asked at the start of Tuesday’s regular second monthly council session that the issue be added to the agenda. “We’re missing out on opportunities to get people to come here and invest,” he said. “We’ve got to attract the young crowd” to Downtown Smithfield, he added.
The idea was first brought before the council last September and given tentative approval but subsequently tabled. Last Thursday it was discussed during a joint session of the council and directors of the Downtown Smithfield Development Corporation.
During Tuesday’s discussion, Councilman Stevens suggested the original plan be modified to eliminate North Second and North Third streets from the district that will extend from Front to Fourth streets along Market Street and also include portions of Front at the Neuse River Amphitheater and beside the Little Brown Jug.
Councilman Roger Wood suggested limiting hours of alcohol consumption within the district to 3-10 p.m. Wednesday-Friday and noon to 10 p.m. Saturday.
Both suggestions were included in the motion to adopt the modified ordinance that was also supported by Councilman John Dunn. Councilman Steve Rabil was present Tuesday but remained silent. As a result, he was recorded as voting yes.
Absent from the meeting were Councilmen David Barbour and Marlon Lee, both of whom voted against the proposal when it first came up last September, and Travis Scott, who voiced reservations about it during last week’s joint session.
“We’re at a pivotal time with our downtown right now,” Mayor Andy Moore declared prior to Tuesday’s vote. “This sounds like a good compromise to get started.”
Town Manager Mike Scott said Smithfield’s plan must be approved by the state’s Alcoholic Beverage Control Commission before it can take effect. That could be done within the next 60 days, he said.
Smithfield’s social district will be the fourth among Johnston County’s towns. Clayton and Benson have recently joined Selma in the movement that’s spreading across N.C. in the wake of recent state legislation authorizing such districts.
– Courtesy The Smithfield Monthly Sun
Anywhere but the Market St. bottleneck, and during afternoon rush hour no less.
So the town council waits until the members who are against the proposal are not available to take another vote. And then count one counci member as voting yes even though it clearly says he did not vote. Am I the only one who thinks there is something wrong here? This is not a democracy. And all so people can walk through the streets with alcohol. What’s next?
@Michael: Democracy? How about learning to live with repercussions of your decisions. The council meetings are scheduled *a year* in advance. Barbour, Lee, and Scott made a decision to not attend the meeting. The council rules are public — not voting is the same as voting “yes,” no conspiracy. Rabil knew exactly what he was doing.
As usual, the woke snowflakes are the first to complain… and the last to take responsibility. True Americans own their actions #stop Complaining #beRessponsible
Adding an item at the last minute, knowing the No votes are absent is not democracy, it’s deception regardless of your political affiliation.
if you are not present your vote can not be counted as a yes vote,where do we get these council members?
Clearly some deception occuring that should be investigated.
I agree with you. We have people running into building with their cars a 1000ft away and you want to add people walking with alcohol into that. If that’s the case then why can’t they walk and smoke a joint
Well I’m ashamed we share the same name. We don’t live in a democracy for one we live in a constitutional republic. Know some history before flapping your gums.
@Av: You’re splitting hairs. A representative democracy *IS* a republic. You sound like another Woke snowflake who knows just enough history to sound intelligent but not enough to know the truth.
I just have to wonder what is so pressing about this issue that they had to hold it during a meeting where members of the Council were not there? Also, where are people gonna go with the drink in their hand? The county offices are closed in the evenings, just like the lawyers are. This must somehow result in businesses being open, so I’m gonog to be interested in seeing how this all gives the Town that economic explosion it’s looking for.
Or it could be said that the 3 opposing members missed the meeting intentionally, in protest, knowing that they were going to lose.
sad our town is turning to alcohol to get the town established once again. Businesses can operate very well if parking is improved greatly, adding a family atmosphere, places to go and enjoy. Parking, safety for the public, and a presence of police. areas of concern should be addressed such as places someone could hide, like the small alley ways, better lighting all around the buildings where people will be walking. we live in a dangerous world, safety for all should be their first concern. Allowing open consumption in public places is never a good idea.