By Toni Covington Ayers
toniayers@triad.rr.com
Nearly half of Denton’s registered voters came out to cast their ballot in Tuesday’s controversial alcohol referendum, the conclusion of which was indisputable – NO beer sales, NO wine sales, NO mixed drink sales, and NO ABC store in Denton.
The May 6 alcohol referendum was the fifth to be held since 1990; other referendums were held in 1997, 2001 and 2005. According to Orator records, only 1997’s voter turnout topped 2008 in regard to the alcohol issue.
Nine items were on the ballot for consideration in the alcohol referendum and all nine were defeated by a 60/40 margin. The unofficial results posted by the Davidson County Board of Elections are as follows:
Malt Beverages – on and off-premises sales
For 42.08% 218 votes
Against 57.92% 300 votes
Total 518 votes
Malt Beverages – on-premises sales only
For 40.40% 204 votes
Against 59.60% 301 votes
Total 505 votes
Malt Beverages – off-premises sales only
For 39.92% 200 votes
Against 60.08% 301 votes
Total 501 votes
Malt Beverages – on-premises sales by Class A hotels, motels and restaurants only; off-premises sales by other permittees
For 41.83% 215 votes
Against 58.17% 299 votes
Total 514 votes
Unfortified Wine – on and off-premises sales
For 42.91% 221 votes
Against 57.09% 294 votes
Total 515 votes
Unfortified Wine – on-premises sales only
For 40.88% 204 votes
Against 59.12% 295 votes
Total 499 votes
Unfortified Wine – off-premises sales only
For 39.52% 196 votes
Against 60.48% 300 votes
Total 496 votes
ABC Store Election
For 40.39% 208 votes
Against 59.61% 307 votes
Total 515 votes
Mixed Beverage Election
For 42.52% 219 votes
Against 57.48% 296 votes
Total 515 votes
While supporters of legalized alcohol sales in Denton appeared to keep a relatively low profile, opponents of the alcohol referendum were out in full force in the weeks – and even hours – prior to the vote. An estimated four dozen area residents, some citizens of Denton and others living outside city limits, marched through the downtown area on Monday evening carrying signs and waving small banners – “Vote NO alcohol May 6.”
Following their demonstration, alcohol opponents gathered at Denton Town Hall for a regularly scheduled Board of Commissioners meeting during which they clearly stated their wishes for Denton’s elected officials: “The people have spoken – don’t bring the issue up again.”
“It’s disheartening that this is brought up again,” said Myra Smith, one of two from the group who registered to speak at the meeting. “Denton doesn’t need it.”
Tom McLean, who serves as president of the Citizens for a Drug and Alcohol Free Denton, voiced similar sentiments. “You’ve said that you wanted to let the people speak, but if the people speak for the sixth time the same way will the Council say it has heard the voice of the people and it won’t be brought up again?”
He continued by expressing concern for what he called “promises” that alcohol sales would bring new business to the area. “Is there written documentation that businesses will come (to Denton) if this passes or that they won’t if it doesn’t (pass)?”
Mayor Scott Morris answered simply, “No.”
He then opened the floor for anyone else in the audience to make brief comments, to which Kevin Everhart responded. “The people say no. Maybe now we need new commissioners that will speak for the people.”
(First Amendment rights in action...
A local group of citizens and area residents gathered in downtown Denton on Monday, thereby exercising their Constitutional rights of freedom of speech and the right to peaceably assemble. Following their march through town, the Citizens for a Drug and Alcohol Free Denton attended the Board of Commissioners’ meeting at Town Hall to voice opposition to this week’s alcohol referendum.)
Hunt serving as interim principal at SDHS
By Toni Covington Ayers
toniayers@triad.rr.com
Billy Hunt Jr. is now serving as interim principal at South Davidson High School following his appointment to the position by the Davidson County Board of Education last week.
Hunt has served as South’s assistant principal since 2003 and has an excellent rapport with the students there. He has always made a concerted effort to attend each and every athletic and academic function at the school and will continue to do so as interim principal.
The School Board appointed West Lamoureaux Jr. as South’s assistant principal during their April 29 meeting. Lamoureaux served as a teacher and administrator in the Lexington City School system for more than 30 years and has worked part-time at E. Lawson Brown Middle School up until his appointment at SDHS.
Because this is a critical time in the academic year with End-of-Grade testing just weeks away, Mr. Hunt, Mr. Lamoureaux and the faculty at SDHS are working diligently to keep students focused on the task at hand rather than on the turmoil engulfing an administrator there.
The decision to appoint Hunt and Lamoureaux came several days after Principal Keith Overcash was arrested on charges of sexual activity with a 17-year-old student at South. The charges, two counts of felony sexual activity with a student by a school administrator, are based on NC general statute 14-27.7 section b, which states, “If a defendant, who is a teacher, school administrator, student teacher, school safety officer, or coach, at any age…engages in vaginal intercourse or a sexual act with a victim who is a student, at any time during or after the time the defendant and victim were present together in the same school, but before the victim ceases to be a student, the defendant is guilty of a Class G felony, except when the defendant is lawfully married to the student.”
He is currently being held in Davidson County Jail under $250,000 bond and is scheduled to appear before a grand jury on May 12.
.
