WWW arkcity.net

By CHANSI LONG
Traveler Correspondent

A ballot measure that would prevent the sale of alcohol on Sunday has not sparked a lot of campaigning publicly, but people in Arkansas City have strong opinions on the matter.

The city passed an ordinance allowing the sale of alcohol on Sunday, and opponents raised a petition to get the issue to voters.

Charles Grant, pastor of First United Methodist, is trying to motivate people to vote against the ordinance.

"The more alcohol that is sold, the more suffering there is in the world," Grant said.

Grant believes that Sunday alcohol sales will encourage binge drinkers, who typically drink on Friday and Saturday, to carry their habits over to Sunday. Grant also believes adopting the ordinance will cause more violence and problems in the community.

Ark City resident Adam Long is trying to get community members to get out and vote, with Sunday sales his primary issue.

"It's about freedom," Long said. "Religion has no place in the legal system. The fourth commandment should not dictate when I chose to buy alcohol."

Several people have opinions similar to Long's. Cowley Sophomore Chad Law thinks the law violates the separation of church and state.

"It's legal to purchase alcohol six days a week," Law said. "It seems there are some religious elements that prevent Sunday sales."

Cowley sophomore Josh Gardner takes a comparable stance.

"It's a mix of church and state and that's not right," Gardner said. "What is Sunday? Why is it isolated from the rest of the week?"

Many Ark City residents seem divided about the ordinance.

While Long asserts that the law is dated and needs revamped, Sherry Smith, secretary of First American Baptist, thinks that it should be maintained because it goes back to the fourth commandment. The fourth commandment states that people should not labor on the Sabbath day, or the seventh day of the week.

"Our nation was founded on religion and we should really get back to that," Smith said.

Cowley sophomore Hope Burg is also against the idea. Burg believes that "Sunday should be reserved for serving God and resting."

Even the liquor stores can't seem to agree on the ordinance. Joan Kempf, owner of JD's liquor, doesn't support Sunday sales.

"It would cost me money," Kempf said. "I'd have to hire an employee to work that day."

David Potter, owner of Potter's liquor, agrees with Kempf.

"We don't want to work seven days a week," Potter said. "They want to take our holidays away."

Johnny Carter, owner of JC's liquor, is behind the ordinance.

"I want holidays," Carter said. "You can't have holidays without Sundays. It's a package deal."

Carter believes that holiday alcohol sales with increase his revenue, at no cost to the community.

Cowley sophomore Larry Whalen also backs the ordinance.

"Neighboring communities already sell alcohol, so people are going to get it anyway," Whalen said. "Why not keep that money within the community?"

However, Long maintains that it's not a money issue, but a freedom issue. "This is an opportunity for us to make the division between church and state more distinct," Long said. "If you don't approve of drinking alcohol on Sunday, drink something else. But don't prevent those of us who want to, from drinking a beer."

Cowley students, who are mostly over the age of 18, will be able to vote on the issue, but since many are under the age of 21, they are not legally able to buy alcohol any day of the week.