Mayor Explains Veto of Unanimous City Council Vote on Sunday Sales

Mayor Harvey Persons has decided to veto the City Council's unanimous vote, approving Sunday sales and their five-to-two vote, extending alcohol serving hours on Sunday mornings until 2 a.m.

Restaurants were warned at the end of last week not to start utilizing the extended pouring hours immediately.

In a statement to Douglasville Patch today, (.pdf attached) Persons said "both vetoes are based on public safety concerns and his belief that a majority of Douglasville's citizens are opposed to the two measures approved by the City Council."

The Mayor signed the veto at 11:57 a.m. today, in front of City Clerk Joyce Stone, according to the attached veto. There was some confusion whether the veto had to be signed by noon or 7:30 p.m. Part I, Article II, Section 2.33 (b) of the City's charter seems to indicate noon.

"The Douglasville Mayor has the authority to veto any action of the City Council," reads the statement. "These two vetoes will be reported officially to the City Council during its Tuesday, May 15, legislative work session. The City Council during its regular meeting on Monday, May 21, can override each of the Mayor’s vetoes should five members vote to do so."

"I opposed this change in the City’s current ordinance because I believe it negatively would impact the public safety of the City and would result in our streets and roads becoming more dangerous," Persons said of extending pouring hours till 2 a.m. on Sunday.

Regarding letting voters have the chance to vote on a Nov. 6 Sunday sales referendum, the Mayor said, "I am opposed to this, and I feel there already is sufficient time during the week when people can make purchases of packaged beer, wine, and spirituous liquor."