Local Churches Join Forces Against Alcohol Sales
4 Hudson preachers start petition drive to keep town dry
By CHRISTINE S. DIAMONDThe Lufkin Daily News
Wednesday, December 06, 2006
Not everyone is popping champagne corks in celebration of Angelina County's being voted wet.
Four Hudson preachers on Wednesday kicked off their own liquor election petition.
Selling alcohol is a sin, said Bud Bonner, pastor of Bethlehem First United Methodist Church.
"I personally believe as a pastor that the sale of alcohol is wrong," Bonner said.
That's why he and Pastor Clay Harris of Mount Carmel Baptist Church, Jeff Kolk of Crossroads Baptist Church and Brian Lipscomb of Providence Baptist Church have hit the pavement with petition books in hand.
The preachers want to call an election that would make the city of Hudson dry — which, they say, Hudson voters have already expressed.
"Letters of Paul and the Methodist discipline tells me I'm supposed to practice abstinence from strong drink ...," Bonner said.
He added that in their communion services — when Christians re-enact Christ's commandment at the Last Supper, at which he took wine and bread, and told his disciples to drink his blood and eat his flesh in remembrance of him — his church uses grape juice.
If successful in garnering the 361 signatures in 60 days, the group will ask Angelina County commissioners to post it on the May 12 ballot — Hudson's scheduled city elections, said Angelina County election administrator/tax assessor Bill Shanklin.
Before they could even begin the petition process, the group had to present an application signed by 10 residents to the city of Hudson for approval, he said.
"The county has the right to charge the city of Hudson (which approved the application) for the election," Shanklin said. However, since the group opted to post the issue on the May 12 ballot, the amount would be "negligible," Shanklin said.
By CHRISTINE S. DIAMONDThe Lufkin Daily News
Wednesday, December 06, 2006
Not everyone is popping champagne corks in celebration of Angelina County's being voted wet.
Four Hudson preachers on Wednesday kicked off their own liquor election petition.
Selling alcohol is a sin, said Bud Bonner, pastor of Bethlehem First United Methodist Church.
"I personally believe as a pastor that the sale of alcohol is wrong," Bonner said.
That's why he and Pastor Clay Harris of Mount Carmel Baptist Church, Jeff Kolk of Crossroads Baptist Church and Brian Lipscomb of Providence Baptist Church have hit the pavement with petition books in hand.
The preachers want to call an election that would make the city of Hudson dry — which, they say, Hudson voters have already expressed.
"Letters of Paul and the Methodist discipline tells me I'm supposed to practice abstinence from strong drink ...," Bonner said.
He added that in their communion services — when Christians re-enact Christ's commandment at the Last Supper, at which he took wine and bread, and told his disciples to drink his blood and eat his flesh in remembrance of him — his church uses grape juice.
If successful in garnering the 361 signatures in 60 days, the group will ask Angelina County commissioners to post it on the May 12 ballot — Hudson's scheduled city elections, said Angelina County election administrator/tax assessor Bill Shanklin.
Before they could even begin the petition process, the group had to present an application signed by 10 residents to the city of Hudson for approval, he said.
"The county has the right to charge the city of Hudson (which approved the application) for the election," Shanklin said. However, since the group opted to post the issue on the May 12 ballot, the amount would be "negligible," Shanklin said.
posted by imaybeyourneighbor at 7:44 PM
43 Comments:
Beer and wine sales will be all over highway 94. Irregardless of what these people come up with to stop it.They choke the growth and success of small cities with their religion card. The churches are the ones starting a war with religion as their weapon of choice. Go back to your Churches and start saving money for hymm books and pew cushions or something usefull, the days of the church mobs are over.
There are two stores under attack, Joc stop and Polks pickitup on hwy 94. Lancwood groc is going to close this month. How would you like to be singled out as the only store in a five county area to not be allowed a level playing feild to compete. This will be the kiss of death of ever getting any more busines in Hudson. Thanks guys, for nothing but getting in peoples business.
Selling beer is not the issue here. Its all about being heard. And theirs a new band in town. With a hot new single. The B.B's (Bud and the Beerbusters) and their Hit Song,"Hell,s a Comin to Hudson. Beer is its name..."
Some say It is not a Christian effort,But I see Mr Bonner is using the Bible as his ally. Quoting scripture. Safety to others for their families. I can only say this. Hudson has been inundated on a daily basis with folks travelling Hwy 94 to purchase beer and wine for 50 years or more.When did these people once take a stand against it? Never!!! It comes to a point where names are mentioned and publicity is a factor and they jump to their feet to attack. Step out the door and look at Hwy 94 at 2.AM on any Saturday night and you cant see the other side of the road for all the drunks going ditch to ditch getting home from a party at one of the several Honky Tonks in Trinity County. The Police turned a Blind eye to this many years ago and so did the people . Many have died on hwy 94. several being friends of mine. from Clubs on hwy 94. many marriages lost, many hurt in brawls.And many children lost parents to the bottle. A couple of stores selling beer in Hudson is not the Demons from hell rising up to take Hudson and swallow it into eternal hellfire. It may even help the influx of drinking and driving by shaving several miles off a trip they will make anyway. I say to you Mr. Bonner,and Mr. Harris,Why not fight for something that will help your City instead of something to slow its growth and financial status. Take a look at some of the Neighborhoods around you at the trash and filth. Rollingwood is becoming a Mecca for Drugs and look at Walnut Hill down in the Hispanic areas where the people there live in Poverty. Help them,if you dare.Go to the Schools and help get Christ back in our Kids Minds and hearts.How about a fundraising program involving area churches to help poor and needy families here at Christmas. Start helping others instead of yourselves.
I'm a Hudsno and I say they can go to hell. If Jesus could drink, then so can the rest of us. Jack-asses.
Thanks for the comments from all of you, but where are the anti alcohol folks. Dont forget that you have a voice in this also. Feel free to comment. My Blog is for all to discuss issues. I may personally take one side or the other but this post is unbiased.All comments will be posted.My Question is, Where will more than 300 registered voters be found in Hudson when the voter turnouts are much fewer than that.All have to be Registered voters and City residents. Not an easy task for the churches to undertake.
We need to see if ole Bud might get weiser and see the lite.
according to Bud you only have to voted at the city hall to sign. He says you don't have to live in the city to vote. Is this true?
It seems to me that would be against the law. How can people that are not residents of the city vote for or against issues concerning city residents. Unless he is trying to keep The entire county precinct dry. I say false. Any one knowing the law on this matter ,please comment in this forum.
The last time Bud carried a petition it was for doing away with the city. But he found a way to get a city job and he turned on those people too. I wonder if he plans to open a beer joint at the city limits to make money off this too.
Those of us who own property in Lufkin would like to thank the people of the outlying cities for going dry. It will increase the value and business opportunity on the loops and make for a generous tax bonus for Lufkin. Again thank you for your effort to promote Lufkin and kill your business growth.
Excellent point there. Stopping growth potential has been and will always be on the agenda with Bud and his beerbusters. Take a look at some of the congregations at the churches involved. Little or no growth potential there either. Very few followers. I figure all 3 churches together dont have 300 voters.
"Any one knowing the law on this matter ,please comment in this forum."
The pastors cannot allow anyone outside Hudson city limits to sign the petition. If that happens, their signatures will not be counted. Hudson is a tricky place to have a petition in - because one side of the road is county and the other is city. I seriously doubt they are going for the precinct, either. They'd need more signatures if that were the case.
It may be hard to figure out who can sign, but it may be harder to get people to sign anyway. When they way the balance of loss business in their community and just giving it over to Lufkin, seems extremely dumb. Let's give it a try and if it goes so bad, just before god burns us to the ground, we can then have a vote. Being dry does not stop drunks, crime or just over all losers from being in our community, So let's give this a try and take their money for rehab and law enforcment.
If a person wishes to sign the petition for Hudson, where might they find one to sign? Anyone with this information please comment in this forum. Once again I have not seen any responses in the "for" corner. Please feel free to express your views as you see fit.Mr.Bonner, Any comments? Mr.Harris, how about some input?
When Kennedy was elected President many people worried he would allow the Pope and his Catholic upbringing interfere with his governing of the country. He did not. The law and needs of the country came first. DOes the need for more business in Hudson come first with our voters and Mayor. Or does the view of his pastor and a few radical right wing fanatics come first. Dig deep for your answers.
How does your Mayor stand on this issue? Does he want more business opportunities for the city. How about a comment? Such a critical issue should not go without a word from our city leaders.
My apologies,as The above comment was made by me,I forgot to log in. In my haste to continue, I forgot to mention the thanks to all who have visited my site. Lots more new and interesting post to come after the new year so stay tuned.
Do not expect any "leader" in Angelina County, be it head of TABC or your mayor, to "come out" about their support of alcohol until they think the public will agree with them.
Cowards you say dear Shawn. Either way it goes is where there support is. A true southern polictico. Support your community and make it have a fair shot with Lufkin or don't complain when they get everything. Like someone says,"podunk" .
I agree,but also disagree.. Mr. Smith is an honest man with good intentions for the City. But the votes are found in the peoples hearts. And the majority of the voters are in the churches. So, Is it the Christian or the Politician or is it that neither really cares about the outcome? What is it Mr. Smith? Yea....or nea?
I think I draw a line between what I believe and my support for the community. If I were in his shoes, I'd clearly state what I believe about the issue but, at the same time, support whatever choice the community makes.
I wish the mayor would talk about the plusses and negatives of the issue. Let the people know what he thinks will be the benefits of both sides and negatives of the issue. He may not need to take a stand but he needs to be open minded and inform the electorate about the issues and how it could effect out city in the future. He doesn't have to be for or against but he needs to inform the people of both sides honestly and neutally. An educated and informed electorate will make the right decision. Excuse my spelling I am in a hurry. Progress for Hudson is best not going the back into the dark ages.
Change does not always equal progress. Just because a decision has been made to do something different does not automatically mean it is the right, or wrong, decision. Many of the arguments regarding this wet/dry issue seem to be either weak, misleading or both. Without getting into whether or not Hudson needs anymore businesses (that's a topic for another post) consider this; Who really believes that an employer that provides above average wages and benefits (other than one that is directly related to the production, distribution, etc. of alcohol) is going to decide not to locate in a particular area based on whether or not that location is wet or dry? Anybody been through Tyler lately? The town seems to be doing just fine and to my knowledge they are still dry. What about Seven Oaks (on Highway 59 between Corrigan and Livingston)? They have been completely wet for decades and it hasn't done much for their economic growth. The point is that being wet or dry does not in and of itself detemine prosperity. The only people who stand to really benefit economically from the outcome of this election are the ones who will be selling the beer and wine in Angelina County. Another issue which seems to get little attention is convenience. I think many people voted wet for the sake of pure convenience. But it sounds better to say that you are pro economic growth instead of too lazy to drive across the river. And don't start with the sad line about how much gas you were burning going back and forth. That sounds like you were making the trip too often or you couldn't afford to make the trip to begin with (beer and wine cost a whole lot more per gallon than gas). The folks that voted dry didn't do any better disguising their motivations. Some of them don't drink and they don't think you should drink either, period. We tried that once as a nation. It didn't work then and it won't work now. I don't think it was so much a concern for the community as a whole as it was for their community specifically. The primary concern was not that children would be exposed to more alcohol and therefore more children would drink (eventhough this is true - and if you don't agree you probably don't think advertising works either), the real issue was that "my" children would be exposed to more alcohol and therefore the chances that "my" children would drink would be increased. I am not saying that either side was right or wrong in what they did or why they did it. But both sides blurred the issue with the spin they put on it. Had each side been honest with each other who knows, maybe they could have found some common ground. It seems that the real issue should be, will Angelina County be a better place to live now that they have voted to go wet? We will never be able to answer that question until we can agree on what "better" means.
very good resposnse good2 . Good examples and very well thought out. Thank you.
Only one question for mr 2 shoes...I voted wet but I dont drink, so what is my reason for the vote? I see how you label both sides with such eloquent critique. But there is actually more to a thought process than you may think. I dont drink, I, nor no one I know owns a business in Hudson, yet I still say yes. Is it for personal economic gain? Evidently not. For Christian values? That one is out the door due to the way I voted. That convenience thing is of no consequence to me.(The no drinking thing above.) Tax revenue for the City might be the answer. Even a small amount is a good thing. Restaurants may see fit to come to Hudson now. Good ones maybe. As for Seven Oaks, you have to sub divide the properties there for growth. All they have is private owned large acreage properties with no room for development. Even without sales of alcohol it is going nowhere. I spoke with several business owners in Angelina this week and all have had tremendous profits in beer sales. Dividends helping Angelina,not Nacogdoches county. One said he sold over 1000 dollars worth a day. Tax money reaching into the thousands per month to our area. From just 1 business. Distributors are seeking employees for local routes. My wife was asked today if she would be interested. So the benefits are there. You just have to go out and look for them. They dont come to those who sit idle on the sidelines. You are correct in saying change does not always mean progress, but progress cannot come without change.
By the way goody2shoes ,Thank you for visiting the Hudson Weekly and we all look forward to your comments. Our Nation was founded on many ideas and many different beliefs. Through understanding and respect for others we overcame diversity and now live in the greatest nation on earth. In freedom and democracy we shall all thrive. God is our saviour, the people our power. Our vote is our voice,our right, our heritage. God Bless America, Hudson Included.
Is there anyone with the city that will comment on this? What are they afraid will happen?
Bud says he has the enough #'s for the petition to go forward. I hope someone with more sense then him, checks the addresses of the signatures. MAybe Mr. Shanklin will earn his pay make sure they are correct.
Just one question - Why should our elected council and Mayor be expected to open up their opinion and come under fire in this blog when everyone else can remain anonymous? Sounds unfair to me...If you want opinions and facts from our officials, then be brave enough to go face to face, and quit hiding behind a blog name.
Do you want a fact? Here's a fact - If Polk's at 706 sells as much alcohol in a year as Friday's across 59, then that will bring in a whopping additional $2,000 into the City of Hudson's budget. Economic prosperity? get real, people.
$2,000.is pretty substantial when it could be earmarked for special programs such as Hudson Beautiful Clean or some other city events. So you can also "Get real". Hudson has its little extra needs also. I bet you didnt contribute a dime to any of the programs I just listed.And I will be the first to step up and ask the Mayor and the City Administrator to enter this forum and give us a bit of insight on the issue. I will not hide. You all know who I am. Robert,any comments? How about you James? Any official statements from the City leaders?
Excuse me imaybeyourneighbor whoeveryouare... I contribute EVERYTIME to Keep Hudson Beautiful, Hudson VFD, and almost every public event at the city of Hudson, I'll bet I've put in more volunteer time in my 23 years in the Hudson VFD than you will EVER do for your city without pay. So don't even begin to insinuate that I don't do my part. You obviously didn't read the first entry, so I'll ask it yet again - Why should the Mayor and City officials enter a blog where they would be known who they were, yet come under fire from people who can remain anonymous? As far as that 'extra' $2000 coming into the City, how far would that amount go towards covering the extra time for employees to clean beer cans and trash up from the city roads? How far will that amount go towards paying the overtime for our police officers to step up their DWI arrests? You want an 'official comment' from our city leaders? Go to a council meeting.
First off , being a contributor of sort to various city functions I commend you. Thank you. Secondly, If you take the time to read ny blog you would know who I am. I do not hide underneath anonimity. The Mayor and City manager know who I am and I would put myself on their "friends" list on social terms. Political terms I may disagree at times. But that does not get in the way of my respect for them both and the love I share with them for the community.As for the council meetings , I might be sitting right behind you at the next one and I have probably seen you at one of many that I have been to.I donated Motorola radios to the Police dept, when it first came about. I leased commercial property to the City of Hudson for less than 1/2 the price businesses had paid in the past,simply because I thought it would help the city grow. Dont be so hasty in your criticism. I need'nt ask anyone to express their views in an agenda being that of the City. I ask them to speak in this forum. Just as you have. I AM NOT HERE TO SEEK RIDICULE FOR ANY PUBLIC FIGURE. I welcome your comments and look forward to them all.How many dollars have been lost in tax revenue over the years to trinity county. Those same people you fear will corrupt the city have driven through it for years and you never complained. Now we can get something out of it and you are up in arms. DWI arrest have not and will not increase, the trash on the roads is there now and will forever be there. Man , get real. A Polks store selling beer is not the end of civilization as we know it.
I never implied that alcohol sales would be 'the end of civilization'. Folks buying beer in Trinity County - we have no control over, but yes I do complain about it, every time there is a drunk wrecking out on Highway 94. Alcohol sales within the City, however, we DO have control over. I simply do not want alcohol to be readily available in any corner store or grocery that my children can frequent. Common sense dictates that anything which is more available, will be more frequently used. If alcohol is more frequently used, then alcohol abuse WILL GO UP!! You can sugarcoat it anyway you want, but that is a fact. I use to spend my workday in downtown Nacogdoches - a wet city. I am just not impressed with the streets cluttered with beer trucks, the stores covered with neon signs, their parking lots full of people filling their coolers with ice and drinks every evening. Lufkin has grown by leaps and bounds over Nac, and they did that WITHOUT beer sales. Lufkin is just cleaner and more 'family-friendly' and I honestly believe that the lack of readily available alcohol is a main reason. I choose that for our City. That is why I campaign so strongly for this petition.
it is a a righteous cause to protect our children from the dangers of alcohol. I know that you are one to teach your children the wrongs of alcohol abuse. As a parent of 2 teens I also see fit to the same morals. It is when abused a terrible thing to bear witness to.Our views are different in certain aspects,And the same in others. I see the good that can come from sales in Hudson and you see the bad. As I have recently mentioned, the City with restaurants abilities to serve without memberships could bring new businesses,as well as tax revenues other than alcohol, the tax dollars going to Trinity County now will be shared in Angelina County and Our City of Hudson will see a few extra dollars in the budget too. glass half full, not half empty. Look to the good and the bad will fade away. Be positive about the outcome and look to the benefits, and the rest is taken care of.
Using that philosophy, why don't we just go ahead and legalize and tax everything - pot, prostitution, crack, and everything else that is dangerous and morally wrong? After all - we'll just look to the financial benefits, and eventually forget about the moral decay. Sorry, but no, the bad will NOT fade away. It will just eventually become morally 'normal'. My Bible tells me to watch out for this. Where do you draw the line?
In my opinion, if alcohol were illegal to possess then my point would be mute. But sadly enough,it is legal to consume alcohol in public places. Pot, Crack, and other things aforementioned in the last comments are illegal to consume and or possess,so to keep this forum in line with the issues,we mus'nt stray from the point with sarcasms. We all know that Hudson is not going to melt or suffer a terrible end by this . I can remember a few meth labs busted in Hudson last year. and americas mobile home park ran rampant with drug activity last year.The park next to the meadows on Mt carmel had a crack dealer so brazen that he threatened children to burn down homes of their parents that owed him money for crack with them in it. I took the children into my care and reported it to local authorities.Then there were the drunks who destroyed my fences and my brick mailbox. Hudson is full of crime and disorder now. Beer sales in a local store is tiny compared to rest of the story.Priorities are a bit off center.
Look, it's obvious that you and I do not, and will not see eye to eye on this issue. So let's just leave it that our votes will cancel each other out. I do admit that the petition and campaign to bring another vote within our City is a hard uphill battle, but at least I know that I tried my best to help prevent what I consider to be a further moral decline in our area. I'm sorry that you don't see things that way, but I know that someday we will ALL have to answer for our actions here on this earth. I urge anyone else following this debate to truly search your heart before making a final decision on the alcohol issue.
Bud says he has the enough #'s for the petition to go forward. I hope someone with more sense then him, checks the addresses of the signatures. MAybe Mr. Shanklin will earn his pay make sure they are correct."
Mr. Shanklin is a good man who does his job correctly. I have no doubt in my mind that he will have each signature checked for accuracy. He had almost his entire staff checking each signature INDIVIDUALLY when I submitted my own, and that was well over 3,000.
I should also mention that Mr. Shanklin will not even try to find a signature if he or one of his staff members cannot read the writing. For Bud's sake, I sure hope he followed every rule in the law. Otherwise, he could face an invalid petition (that includes incorrect DOB), current address on file, etc.)
I was printed in the Lufkin Daily Newspaper as leading this effort. In reality, Pastor Bud Bonner contacted me about letting our church know about the petition and giving our people an opportunity to sign it. Unfortunately, most of us at CRBC live in the county and can't sign it.
This is my first blogging experience and I am disappointed with the dialog. People who attack others and then want to remain anonymous should have their comments removed.
We live in America and we have choices. I am disappointed about our recent choices, but I will continue to speak up for what I believe will help people. It is an undeniable fact that alcohol abuse destroys lives. I personally believe the evil it does is not worth the tax dollars gained. I will accept that many don’t share the same views but we are in America and when we think something is wrong it is okay to legally fight against it.
This is what I have personally observed. Our church help our community stay clean by the adopt-a-highway program. The majority of the trash our church picks up along the roadsides of 94, 1194 south and Old Union is alcohol related. These folks that litter the highways with their beer and whiskey bottles are not only are breaking littering laws but what about open container and heaven for bid drunk driving laws?
I challenge all the pro-alcohol bloggers here to contact me 875-2810 (pastor@crossroad.org) and come help clean up Hudson. If your people are throwing it out can you help our people pick it up? Is that reasonable? Not all church people are bad – who knows you might like a few of us. Come and see. I love my church family.
Jeff Kolk, Pastor, Cross Road Baptist Church
Thank you for speaking up, Brother Kolk. I have a feeling this blog will become more active as the next wet/dry election in our City approaches. I hope more anti-alcohol folks join in than did last time. We need to convince as many people as possible that this is just a WRONG decision for Hudson. Thanks again!
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