After a slow start, early voting on whether or not Richmond Hill restaurants should be able to serve liquor by the drink on Sundays picked up some steam by Friday. A little, anyway. Elections Superintendent Sam Davis said Friday afternoon that 106 Richmond Hill residents voted. The special election is Sept. 16. Davis still categorizes it as a low turnout, saying there are over 4,900 voters in the city. "But you usually see a low turnout for special elections," he said. "This is an important issue, though, and I hope to see a lot more people come out on Tuesday." Meanwhile, tension seems to be mounting. Local restaurant owners who want the ordinance say Sunday alcohol sales will increase their profits by keeping customers from dining in Savannah on Sundays, where alcohol can legally be served. Some local pastors and their constituents, however, say approval of such an ordinance would be disrespectful to the Lord’s Day. Last week, Beef ‘O’ Brady’s co-owner Georgia Goolsby put up 20 signs throughout the city, urging folks to vote ‘yes’ to the ordinance. She said half the signs have disappeared. On the other side of the issue, Daniel Baptist Church and Bethel Baptist Church have added a ‘vote no on Sunday sales’ message to their billboard. Several ‘vote no’ signs have popped up around the city as well. "I think scripture is very clear of the dangers of alcohol – especially of a drunken state," Daniel Baptist Pastor Alfred Banks said. He said passing this ordinance would encourage drinking and driving. He said DUI is the cause of millions of fatalities each year in the United States alone. "Not to mention the lost limbs and serious injuries. We do not hate drunk drivers; we love all people. But if it hurts other people, I’d like to see every measure taken to avoid it. A vote of ‘no’ in this election would be a step." Only residents of Richmond Hill can vote in the election. Polls will be open Tuesday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. at the Wetlands Center, at the back of J.F. Gregory Park.
Liquor vote picks up
