Before the Powder Springs City Council voted Monday to send Sunday package alcohol sales to voters, two opponents of the measure offered several reasons it shouldn't be on the presidential primary ballot.

"It is tragic evidence that the state of Georgia is in a deplorable decline when so many of its citizens find it viable that they have an extra day to purchase alcoholic beverages," said city resident Rodger Boe, 64. "Six days should be more than enough to purchase the poison of alcohol."

Boe, the lone public commenter at Monday's meeting, referenced Bible verses against alcohol and noted negative effects, including women drinking it before they realize they're pregnant, car accidents, and cancer.

"Statistics will go up. Someone will die. And more tragic results will happen," he said to the council, telling Patch after the meeting: "What do we have to gain? There are going to be a lot of problems associated with it."

In June, the council shot down the idea of putting Sunday sales on the Nov. 8 ballot. Then at last Wednesday's work session, Mayor Pat Vaughn and Councilwoman Rosalyn Neal voiced support of allowing voters to make the decision.

"At the last election, we did have a lot of citizens that showed up to vote on this issue and wanted to know why we had not given them the choice," Vaughn said Monday.

Before Councilwoman Nancy Hudson voted against the resolution and made the tally 4-1, she said that only one person emailed council members in support of the public vote on Sunday sales, and that person lives outside the city limits.

"For me to be true to my religious and moral beliefs, and after seeing what the effects and consequences of alcohol can do to an individual and families, I cannot with a good conscious give my vote to the Sunday sale of alcohol," she said.

Sunday package sales will appear on the March 6, 2012 presidential primary ballot. Residents of unincorporated Cobb will also be able to vote on Sunday sales.  

If approved in Powder Springs, package alcohol sales will be permitted between 12:30 and 11:30 p.m. on Sundays. The new law would go into effect as soon as the Board of Elections & Registration certifies the vote totals.

Also on Monday:

• The council approved the police department's two motorcycles being sold through sealed bids to another police agency.
• The council approved a $100-a-year lease agreement with Norfolk Southern for space adjacent to Powder Springs Park.
• Bonus Building Care of Atlanta was awarded a $8,300 annual contract for the city's janitorial services. Aspire Landscaping was awarded a $30,000 annual contract for the city's landscaping services. The contracts were given to private firms to replace work being done by Paulding County inmates. Public Works Director Greg Ramsey expects the switch to save as much as $119,000 a year for the city. Councilman Tom Bevirt, who was in his next to last legislative meeting after being defeated during this month's elections, complimented Ramsey on saving the city money. "I'm glad that I will be leaving (the city) in a better shape than what things were last year here financially."
• The council approved an agreement with Norfolk Southern that will allow for preliminary engineering work to be done for the silent crossing at Brownsville Road. The project is being funded by the county. Hudson voted against the measure after voicing concerns about someone getting killed on the tracks because they didn't hear a train approaching. "I have reservations if we're going to be held liable," she said.
• Police Chief Sewell introduced Maj. John Robison, who was recently hired from the Alpharetta Police Department, and Detective Lieutenant Lane Cadwell, who was recently promoted from sergeant. Sewell said Cadwell is the sole detective for the department, which once had four detectives. He and council members noted the good work Robison and Cadwell are doing.
• Vaughn noted the upcoming Christmas tree lighting ceremony.
• Neal mentioned the success of the American Legion's Veterans Day ceremony.
• Council members thanked Bevirt for his three terms of service. "I appreciate everyone who comes (to council meetings) often—all two of you, three sorry," he joked.
• Council members wished everyone a happy Thanksgiving.