Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: WEDNESDAY, February 8, 1995 TAG: 9502080070
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: CHARLES STEBBINS STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: NEW CASTLE LENGTH: Medium
In a referendum Tuesday, 611 of the 934 registered voters turned out.
But even though voters rejected the proposal, the idea of mixed drinks is not a dead issue in Craig.
Jim Greenway, owner of Briz's Restaurant and the main promoter of mixed-drink sales, said he will continue efforts to get the issue approved.
"They have won the battle but not the war," he said of people who opposed the issue. "I will be back bouncing like a ball."
Greenway said he would begin a new campaign as soon as possible to bring the issue to a vote throughout the county. Tuesday's referendum applied only to the New Castle Magisterial District, where Briz's is located. The restaurant is on Virginia 311 just outside the New Castle town limits.
Greenway said many of his supporters criticized him for not taking the referendum countywide.
"There are many people outside the New Castle District who told me they would have voted for it, but they did not have the opportunity," he said.
On the other side of the issue, the Rev. Steve Putney, spokesman for the New Castle Ministerial Association, said he was confident all along that the issue would be defeated.
"We are very pleased and grateful to the Lord and to all of the people who worked to bring about defeat of this," he said.
Putney, pastor of First Baptist Church in New Castle, said he did not think it would make any difference if a countywide referendum were held. People throughout the county feel the same as those in New Castle, he said.
Many in a steady stream of voters going into the polls Tuesday morning said they were opposed to having liquor by the drink in Craig.
Some of the early voters, however, indicated they were in favor, but they would not give their names.
One of those opposed was Millie Harrison, who was bundled up against the biting cold, displaying a sign urging people to vote "no." She represented a committee that was organized to fight the proposal.
Harrison said there were many reasons for opposing the further availability of liquor.
"One of the main reasons is that I have seen what alcohol can do to people," she said. "It not only hurts the people who drink it but also their family members who are innocent bystanders."
Harrison, who has a 12-year-old child, said her car bears a red bow, the symbol of Mothers Against Drunk Driving.
by CNB