DELEGATE'S MIXED-DRINK BILL BACKING EXPLAINED

                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: SATURDAY, February 22, 1992                   TAG: 9202220312
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: A-4   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE: RICHMOND                                LENGTH: Short
DELEGATE'S MIXED-DRINK BILL BACKING EXPLAINED
Del. Willard Finney says his support for mixed drinks at a Patrick County resort is not inconsistent with his opposition two years ago to a similar measure aimed at Smith Mountain Lake.
"If anyone else wants liquor by the drink, they can have it," Finney said Friday. "I just didn't want it in our area when they've voted it down."
Earlier this month, Finney voted in favor of legislation that would allow the Doe Run Lodge to apply for a mixed-drinks license without the approval of Patrick County voters.
Finney, a Rocky Mount Democrat, said the bill did not override voters because the liquor-by-the-drink issue has never appeared on the ballot in Patrick County.
He said his opposition to a similar bill aimed at Smith Mountain Lake restaurants in 1990 was based on the fact that Franklin County voters had rejected mixed drinks.
Finney said he voted for the Doe Run bill without consulting with Del. Roscoe Reynolds, who represents Patrick County.
Reynolds said Friday that he voted against the measure because the voters in Patrick County have not approved mixed drinks.
The bill passed the House of Delegates, 79-19. A Senate committee that had been scheduled to consider the bill Friday postponed action for a week.
Keywords:
GENERAL ASSEMBLY

by Bhavesh Jinadra by CNB