Christian Action Commission

Another Call Likely for Flowood Alcohol

January 11, 2009

A bill that would allow Flowood residents to vote on whether restaurants can sell alcohol is expected to
go before state lawmakers again.

A similar bill died in the state House last year, but this year’s bill will be more specific to Flowood, state
Rep. Kevin McGee, R-Brandon, said - in that it will keep amendments for other cities from being tacked
on.

The bill is being drafted and will be dropped by this week. Last year’s bill died because House members
didn’t agree on an amended version.

City officials and business owners say the county’s dry status inhibits economic growth. Other people
say it’s beneficial.

“If we allowed the service of alcoholic beverages in Flowood, it would enhance the business in the area
and bring new restaurants,” said Fred Cerami, owner of Cerami’s, an Italian restaurant located on
Lakeland Drive.

Rankin County permits the sale of beer and wine coolers.

The bill will allow the city to place restrictions on liquor sales, such as the days and hours it can be sold,
McGee said.

The bill calls for a vote to decide whether liquor will be allowed to be sold by the glass in restaurants and
hotels.

It would take 60 percent approval of Flowood voters for the sale of liquor to be allowed, McGee said.
Mayor Gary Rhoads said liquor stores won’t be allowed.

Aldermen unanimously approved a resolution supporting the bill last week .

“We’re encouraging our delegation to allow the citizens of Flowood the right to vote,” Rhoads said.

State law already has provisions for cities located within five miles of the Tennessee-Tombigbee
Waterway.

Flowood lost 11 potential restaurants last year, and Rhoads said he wants to make sure the city can
compete with Jackson, Madison and Ridgeland.

“You have your Bonefish (Grill) and tablecloth restaurants, and if they can’t serve a glass of wine, they
can’t exist in Flowood,” Rhoads said.

“When you start losing restaurants, it means people are going somewhere else to eat. They’ve gotten
tired of fast food.”

Cerami added: “I would hate considering closing this restaurant and for the lack of sale of alcoholic
beverages. We have a beautiful location.”

Retail development goes hand-in-hand with white-table dining establishments, Rankin First Economic
Development Authority Director Tom Troxler said.

“Purely from an economic standpoint, if you had liquor by the drink you would have more restaurants
and more convention-type hotels,” Troxler said, noting a study sponsored by Rankin First and the
Jackson Municipal Airport Authority.

The study found the sale of alcohol is pivotal to the development around the airport, including Flowood.

State Sen. Lee Yancey, R-Brandon, said a referendum is best.

“The main problem I have is these liquor bills is that they overturn the will of voters in dry counties, and
they allow certain areas to be resort areas in dry counties,” Yancey said, referring to Castlewoods
County Club’s recent acquisition of a liquor license.

“The Legislature continues to make exceptions in dry counties. That’s what I have a problem with.”
Liberty Baptist Church’s the Rev. John Cofer said he enjoys living in a dry county, noting problems often
are associated with alcohol consumption.

“We’re grateful that we don’t have the problems that come with alcohol or abuse of alcohol,” the pastor
of the Flowood church said.

“If people want to buy alcohol, they can go to Jackson or Madison County.”

Justin Fritscher can be contacted at