Letter: Voting 'Yes' Nov. 8 will help Clarendon economy

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EDITOR'S NOTE: The Manning Times and manninglive.com welcome letters from readers. Word counts should not exceed 800. Letters with obscene or threatening language will not be published. Letters will be posted to the web first and in The Manning Times as space allows. Many have seen the large, "Vote Yes" signs around the county and most, like me wondered what they are about. Following three readings and a public hearing, the County Council approved putting one single ballot question, or referendum on the Nov. 8 general election ballot. In short, voting yes would allow restaurants and retail establishments already permitted to sell beer, wine or liquor to do so regardless of what day it is ... including Sundays. Passage of this referendum would not negate any of the current laws about where such an establishment may be located. You still can't sell those alcoholic beverages within the proximity of a school or church. However, a common cry in Clarendon County is "Why can't we have an Applebee's, an Olive Garden, a Logan's or any of the dozen 'finer' dining establishments that our neighboring counties have?" According to a survey by Bloomberg Businessweek, alcohol sales make up about 30 percent of total revenue in most restaurants. While I don't drink because of health reasons, I can fully understand where cutting out 1/7 of that revenue would have a negative effect on the bottom line. The tax revenue of a major restaurant chain as described above would be significant. With state legislation currently capping taxes that property owners pay, any new tax revenue would be greatly beneficial to us all. And one need only look down the length of Broad Street and Broad Street Extension in Sumter to know that one restaurant will likely give rise to others. That's jobs and that can only strengthen our local economy. Many of those opposed to this measure talk about Sunday alcohol sales causing alcoholism, more DUIs, domestic violence and probably global climate change. All of those things, sadly, exist now. Not having Sunday sales did not prevent them. I don't believe that Sunday alcohol sales will create alcoholics any more than spoons make you fat. It might cut into the bootlegger's business, but I doubt they pay taxes anyway. I am a happy and willing (and usually insistent) designated driver. I would hope every vehicle has one if others are drinking. More than 60,000 vehicles pass through Clarendon County every day, many with vacation money in their pockets as they head south. Wouldn't it be nice if they left more of it here? CATHY GILBERT Manning