The Town Board voted 4-1 last week to ask the Moore County Board of Elections to schedule an election on the question. Comments from the public were sought on the proposal, which had been postponed from the March meeting so that all commissioners could be present.
Three people spoke at the hearing — two opposed and one in favor — according to Town Clerk Debra Cockman.
Mayor Mickey Brown expressed his opposition to the board calling for a vote, pointing out that supporters of the idea could petition the Board of Elections. Signatures of 35 percent of registered voters would be needed for that to happen. There are some 495 voters in Robbins, though the number fluctuates.
Brown, who votes only in case of a tie, has made no secret of his opposition. In the Thursday vote, only one voting member sided with the mayor.
Commissioner Carlton Ken-nedy voted against it, according to Cockman.
“He said his conscience would not allow him to support the board calling for an election when petitioners could do it,” Cockman said. “Theron Bell said she thought long and hard, but thought the people have a right to vote on it.”
Other board members stated their support for the proposal in much the same terms, neither opposing nor favoring the actual question of selling beer and wine in Robbins, but favoring the call for an election.
Robbins has been “dry” for many years. People in the area drive to Carthage, or out of county to the north and west to buy their beer and wine.
Some feel this highway traffic is hazardous. Many say the economy of Robbins would benefit from bringing business back home that is now going somewhere else.
In recent years, the town has lost employer after employer. A study retreat supported by Northern Moore Tomorrow indicated a growth in cultural tourism of the surrounding pottery area offered the best hope for the town’s future.
Hotels, bed-and-breakfast establishments and fine restaurants — with wine lists — are all part of that imagined future.
Some see this election as a first step on that path, but nothing will happen right away. Any such vote is at least two months down the road.
“The election has to be scheduled no less than 60 nor more than 120 days from the time they get our request,” Cockman said. “It can’t be held on Tuesday following the first Monday in November in even-numbered years, but that doesn’t apply to us since 2005 is an odd-numbered year.”
Commissioner Mary Wood moved to send a written request to the Moore County Board of Elections to set a date for an alcoholic beverage election as provided for under state law. Commissioner Anna Derr seconded her motion.
There are two propositions that the Town Board wants the public to vote on, Cockman said.
“Malt beverage election to permit the off-premise sale only of malt beverage: for, or against; and then, unfortified wine election to permit the off-premise sale only of unfortified wine, for, or against.”
Cockman has the resolution typed. She is waiting for the signature of the mayor before sending it. The countdown cannot begin until the election board gets the request, but Cockman expects that to happen within the week.
Once the mayor signs, Cockman will submit the request to the elections board in Carthage.
“It is 60 days from the day they receive it,” she said. “The session is kind of along the lines of the meeting they had right before their regular one this past Thursday, where they are talking about personnel, budget, water and sewer. They are really just getting prepared for next year’s budget, I think.”
That would mean the election could not be held before the third week of June, later than mid-August.
