![The Milton City Council voted 4-3 to allow alcohol sales from 7 a.m. to 2:30 a.m. on Sundays. [AARON LITTLE | Press Gazette]](http://127.0.0.1/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/ghows-DA-47fa28fa-9719-5642-e053-0100007f2101-9ed2ab34-scaled.jpeg)
MILTON — The Milton City Council on Tuesday voted 4-3 to allow alcohol sales from 7 a.m. to 2:30 a.m. on Sundays.
Council members Peggi Smith, Alan Lowery, Jeff Snow and Casey Powell voted for the ordinance. Council members Pat Lunsford, Mary Ellen Johnson and Sharon Holley voted against it.
Four residents spoke against the proposal, citing religious and safety concerns, and asked city leaders to vote against the ordinance or compromise on sales times.
“I’ve not found any children rejoicing that someone they love can buy alcohol on Sunday,” First Assembly of God in Milton Lead Pastor Dusty Roberts said. “I’ve never had anyone tell me it helped saved their marriage or made them a better driver or overcame abuse. I get to see firsthand how alcohol affects families.”
Al Brewton suggested changing Sunday sales times to exclude mornings; Robert McClure agreed.
More than 64 percent of Milton voters approved of Sunday alcohol sales in a November 2016 election.
“We heard from many with convictions on both sides. I respect that, but you have to respect the voice of the people … The people did speak,” Blackwater Bistro Manager Glen Hill said before Tuesday’s vote.
Johnson did not support the ordinance, as proposed, but said she would compromise on adjusting times, barring Sunday sales in the morning.
Still, it was not enough to win the support of a majority of the council.
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Editor's Note: Updated article to show the vote was 4-3.
This article originally appeared on Santa Rosa Press Gazette: City Council OKs Sunday alcohol sales