Voters OK alcohol sales on Sunday

MONCKS CORNER -- Residents won't have to drive out of town any more to buy beer and wine on Sundays.

About 61 percent of voters approved allowing Sunday alcohol sales in a referendum Tuesday, according to unofficial results. The change could come as early as this weekend, depending on how quickly store owners get a license from the state.

Also Tuesday, Mayor Pro Tem David Kizer was elected to a third term on council, winning 24 percent of the votes.

Tonia Aiken-Taylor, a minister, also won a seat with 18 percent of the votes.

Laura Perdue, a first-term incumbent on council, appears headed for a runoff against Johna Bilton, who owns a children's boutique. Each got 17 percent of the votes in unofficial results. The results will be certified Thursday morning.

Six candidates were running for three council seats. Robbie McLaughlin, a retired train master, got 13 percent of the votes. Bridgett Barberena, a Social Services worker, got 10 percent.

Moncks Corner was the last town of its size in the Charleston area not to allow Sunday beer and wine sales. They're still not allowed in Berkeley County's smaller towns or rural areas, nor in Colleton County.

The town referendum pitted business pressures against religious tradition.

The S.C. Retail Association and the S.C. Association of Convenience Stores requested the referendum, citing the economic downturn and lost revenue to neighboring towns that allow Sunday beer sales.

But the Screven Baptist Association, which represents Southern Baptist churches that traditionally oppose Sunday beer sales, lists nine congregations in Moncks Corner.

Reach Dave Munday at 937-5553 or dmunday@postandcourier.com.