Larry Penkava
ASHEBORO — North Carolina’s largest “dry” city is in a state of suspended animation until July 29.
That’s when the results of Asheboro’s fifth alcohol referendum in 58 years will be known.
It was March 25, 1950, when voters kicked beer out of the city. Elections in 1965, 1977, 1985 and 1994 all failed to legalize sales of beer and wine, establish ABC stores or allow on-premises sale of mixed beverages.
Previous referendums have featured hotly-contested campaigns by anti-alcohol groups, decrying John Barleycorn and getting out the vote to turn down legal sales.
They’ve stressed the evils of drink and insisted that Asheboro would lose its distinctive flavor as a family-friendly town.
Proponents, meanwhile, were left running their own operations from the shadows in what is now termed “stealth campaigns.”
Those who favored legal sales were often hesitant to make their views public.
This year, however, the “wets” have come out in force against the “drys” in an epic battle of wills.
The battle lines have been drawn, sometimes pitting neighbor against neighbor in the form of green-lettered “For” signs versus red-lettered “Against” signs, often in adjacent yards and occasionally at the same residence.
But one thing is certain: signs don’t vote, people do. And even if the sign is tall enough to be seen from a half mile away, it’s unlikely to change minds.
In the runup to this election, The Randolph Guide has done a series of articles on alcohol in Asheboro: the story of how the city went from anything goes to being the largest municipality in the state without legal sales of alcohol; arguments by proponents that we’re losing economic benefits; counterarguments by opponents that the negatives outweigh the positives; and the positions of City Council members who are split 4-to-4 on the issues, in some cases vehemently.
In the last article of the series, the two sides review the campaigns they’ve run and look at their chances for success.
We’re also providing complete voting information – hint: there’s still time to vote – provided you live in the city limits – even if you aren’t registered.
Both sides optimistic
Both the Committee For the Future of Asheboro – which supports alcohol sales – and Citizens for a Safe and Healthy Asheboro – which is against alcohol sales – express optimism in their own campaigns while criticizing the opposition.
Lawyers Steve and Brooke Schmidly have led the proponents while Dr. John Rogers, pastor of First Baptist Church of Asheboro, has been the spokesman for the opponents.
“I think it’s gone very well,” Steve Schmidly said of the campaign. “There’s been a tremendous outpouring of support. Hundreds have volunteered to assist us.”
“There’s been a lot of interest shown by people in the city who are very much against this,” said Rogers. “There’s a common interest of like-minded people ... many negatively affected by alcohol and that’s why they’re so strongly against it, more than I realized.”
Both camps have focused on energizing voters to go to the polls, using advertising and direct mailings.
They’ve also either called residents by phone or gone door-to-door.
“The highlight of the campaign is the number of new people we’ve met,” said Steve Schmidly. “I see young folks work so hard.”
Brooke added that “there are people we’ve become very good friends with. They’re excited and it’s interesting to know why they’re excited.”
“When we started the process, we decided we were going to do it differently,” said Steve Schmidly. “We decided to be public about our supporters and to show that it’s OK to be a ‘for,’ it’s OK to support it openly. I think we’ve accomplished that. I’m buoyed every day to see people come in (to the headquarters to talk) about the referendum passing.”
While neither side would predict victory, both indicated it’s a matter of how many voters get to the polls.
“If we get voters to the polls, I think that’s very, very good,” Steve Schmidly said. “I think a majority of the citizens of Asheboro support this cause. If we get them to the polls I believe we will win.”
“I’m no prophet,” Rogers said. “I have no idea (of the outcome). But there are many people we have identified (against alcohol). It depends on how many vote.”
What comes after the election depends on the outcome, both sides agreed.
“If we win, there will be a lot of planning in terms of making sure everything is done in a responsible way,” said Steve Schmidly, adding that the alcohol permitting process is lengthy and will take time.
He said the city will ensure that “ordinances and zoning are in place.”
Schmidly excoriated city leaders against alcohol who seemed to think there was little that could be done to prevent bars and strip joints from popping up everywhere.
“They know,” he said. “They’re misleading, using scare tactics. Sadly, it appears that leaders on the other side want to scare people by providing half-truths and untruths.”
Brooke Schmidly said it was a leadership issue: “Leaders of the City Council in favor (of alcohol) are looking at what needs to be done to ensure Asheboro grows the way we want it to grow. That’s what leadership is about.”
Rogers said a win for the drys means “look(ing) at ways to join together ... to promote the welfare of the city and facing the challenges of the community. We still face challenges – loss of jobs in furniture and textiles, and a new economy.”
What would a loss mean?
“I don’t expect to lose,” said Steve Schmidly. “But if we lose we’ll redouble our efforts next time to win. I’m a simple trial lawyer. If I hope to win a case, I can’t lose the credibility with the listening audience. I’m amazed that people on the other side think they can get away with misleading people.”
Rogers said that with a loss, his group would “want to make sure the city has adequate protection against alcohol problems. There’s a little bit of money appropriated to address the problems of alcohol. I hope the alcohol tax will be increased to help with problems, to educate youth and the public, to be there to help those with problems.
“It’s surprising to me how uninformed people are on the negative aspects of alcohol,” Rogers said. “I’m disappointed that smart businessmen don’t see the problems of alcohol.”
Rogers decried how some people on both sides of the issue were acting.
“It’s disturbing how people are treating each other during this – steal signs, break laws, become mean toward one another. But I think the vast majority of people in Asheboro are good people. Some are not representative of all.
“I’m very proud of how the group I’m associated with has conducted themselves,” said Rogers. “They exemplify good character, standing strong for what they believe is best for the city.”
With six days left before the election, the campaign should only heat up. “It’s going to be hectic the last few days,” said Steve Schmidly.
