City Ordinance Could Deter Alcohol Sales In Rising Star
By: Brendaliss Gonzalez
Updated: December 27, 2012
You'll soon be able to purchase and sell alcohol in Rising Star.
You weren't able to before until now that voters chose to allow the sales during Nov. elections.
However, you may not be able to buy it at the local convenience store.
That's after members of the city council voted unanimously to set an ordinance banning anyone from selling it near a church like the one right in front of the CEFCO convenience store.
Members of the Church of Christ agree with the decision.
"To me its just a bad example, there's nothing good that's going to come out of alcohol," said Steve Wilson.
"Well it's just common sense you know who would want to step out of the church on Sunday morning and be able to see people lugging beer across the street?," said Larry Wilson who's also an elder at the church.
Their church is right across the street from the only convenience store within 20 mi. of the city.
According to the ordinance by the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission, any establishment within 300 ft. of a hospital, public school or in this case a church cannot sell alcohol.
That measurement is taken from the front door of the establishment to the nearest intersection and from there to the front door of the church.
"We measured it three different ways and every way we measured it is still under the 300 ft," said Wilson.
Not everyone will be as happy if it does measure up.
"I think it would be bogus I mean I don't really see what the big deal is quite honestly with it being close to a church," said Jason Marker, who lives in Rising Star.
But council members insist there are other options.
"I think somebody will come in there's good places in town for a store to come up," said Jim Carpenter, a member of the city council.
So even though you can finally get booze in Rising Star, where you can buy it may depend on just a few inches.
We tried to contact a representative from CEFCO based in Temple, but are still awaiting a response.
Members of the church say they believe the fight isn't over just yet since that company is entitled to ask for an extension in the set perimeter.
You weren't able to before until now that voters chose to allow the sales during Nov. elections.
However, you may not be able to buy it at the local convenience store.
That's after members of the city council voted unanimously to set an ordinance banning anyone from selling it near a church like the one right in front of the CEFCO convenience store.
Members of the Church of Christ agree with the decision.
"To me its just a bad example, there's nothing good that's going to come out of alcohol," said Steve Wilson.
"Well it's just common sense you know who would want to step out of the church on Sunday morning and be able to see people lugging beer across the street?," said Larry Wilson who's also an elder at the church.
Their church is right across the street from the only convenience store within 20 mi. of the city.
According to the ordinance by the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission, any establishment within 300 ft. of a hospital, public school or in this case a church cannot sell alcohol.
That measurement is taken from the front door of the establishment to the nearest intersection and from there to the front door of the church.
"We measured it three different ways and every way we measured it is still under the 300 ft," said Wilson.
Not everyone will be as happy if it does measure up.
"I think it would be bogus I mean I don't really see what the big deal is quite honestly with it being close to a church," said Jason Marker, who lives in Rising Star.
But council members insist there are other options.
"I think somebody will come in there's good places in town for a store to come up," said Jim Carpenter, a member of the city council.
So even though you can finally get booze in Rising Star, where you can buy it may depend on just a few inches.
We tried to contact a representative from CEFCO based in Temple, but are still awaiting a response.
Members of the church say they believe the fight isn't over just yet since that company is entitled to ask for an extension in the set perimeter.
