Rayville Board of Aldermen Approve Sunday Liquor Sales
By: Nina Criscuolo
Updated: January 14, 2013
A Richland Parish town decides to repeal an ordinance put in place decades ago prohibiting the sale of alcohol on Sundays. The decision was unanimous, but not everyone is happy about it.
"I've seen the harm of alcohol first hand," says Eddie Wren.
He is one of dozens of community members who came to show support for the Sabbath Day at Rayville's Board of Aldermen meeting Monday.
"I'm the pastor at First Baptist Church here in town," says Wren before the board. He's also opposing an ordinance that would allow liquor sales on Sundays.
"It's a special day it's the Lord's day. In my estimation, I don't see any good coming out of this," says Wren.
Wren says he grew up in a household with an alcohol abuser and worries allowing Sunday liquor sales will increase crime in the community, but supporters say it will increase revenue in Rayville.
"We have to look at the entire community when it comes to making our decisions and that's what we do. That's what we try to do to try to take advantage of the things that will benefit all our citizens not just a particular group," says Rayville Mayor Harry Lewis.
He says local business owners requested help from town officials in repealing the ordinance from 1974.
"They just wanted me to level the playing field and give them an opportunity to compete," he says.
And that's why the board of aldermen say they voted unanimously to pass the new ordinance allowing Sunday liquor sales.
"It's up to you, what you choose to do on your Sabbath Day," says Alderman Timothy Tenant.
Still Wren and some other Rayville residents are disappointed in the decision.
"Hopefully the Holy Spirit of God will change their minds and maybe this will be changed," says Wren.
Sunday liquor sales will not be required of any businesses with a liquor license, but now Rayville businesses will have the option. Currently Sunday liquor sales are prohibited outside city limits in Richland Parish.
"I've seen the harm of alcohol first hand," says Eddie Wren.
He is one of dozens of community members who came to show support for the Sabbath Day at Rayville's Board of Aldermen meeting Monday.
"I'm the pastor at First Baptist Church here in town," says Wren before the board. He's also opposing an ordinance that would allow liquor sales on Sundays.
"It's a special day it's the Lord's day. In my estimation, I don't see any good coming out of this," says Wren.
Wren says he grew up in a household with an alcohol abuser and worries allowing Sunday liquor sales will increase crime in the community, but supporters say it will increase revenue in Rayville.
"We have to look at the entire community when it comes to making our decisions and that's what we do. That's what we try to do to try to take advantage of the things that will benefit all our citizens not just a particular group," says Rayville Mayor Harry Lewis.
He says local business owners requested help from town officials in repealing the ordinance from 1974.
"They just wanted me to level the playing field and give them an opportunity to compete," he says.
And that's why the board of aldermen say they voted unanimously to pass the new ordinance allowing Sunday liquor sales.
"It's up to you, what you choose to do on your Sabbath Day," says Alderman Timothy Tenant.
Still Wren and some other Rayville residents are disappointed in the decision.
"Hopefully the Holy Spirit of God will change their minds and maybe this will be changed," says Wren.
Sunday liquor sales will not be required of any businesses with a liquor license, but now Rayville businesses will have the option. Currently Sunday liquor sales are prohibited outside city limits in Richland Parish.
