'Brew'-haha in Pampa

There's a controversy brewing here in our little town. Pampa voters will be deciding whether restaurants in town can serve mixed drinks. 

 

The "brew"-haha began last month when a group started a petition to change the alcohol ordinance to allow restaurants to serve mixed drinks. Right now, restaurants can serve beer and wine only. That means if you really want to get sloshed while dining, you have to drive to Amarillo to eat in one of the many places that serve mixed drinks. 

 

Now that Amarillo has passed a law banning handheld phones while driving, it may be a real buzzkill to have to drive 60 miles for a few drinks! I'm sure most winebibbers would rather stay in Pampa to get hammered.

The timing of the petition is interesting. It comes as an investment group is planning a new city development on the site of the old junior high school. Part of the land will be sold for commercial property, and the developers are hoping to lure bar-and-grill-style restaurants, like Chili's and Applebees, which will never come to Pampa unless the alcohol law is changed.

The issue has stirred up the whole town. It's the topic of conversation everywhere you go. Several pastors have spoken out against the change, but one pastor signed the petition and wrote an editorial in favor of it. He doesn't drink but said he'd be a hypocrite if he went to restaurants in Amarillo that serve mixed drinks but did not vote to allow restaurants in Pampa to do the same. It's all right, Brother. We have room for one more hypocrite in this town!

I have "mixed" feelings about the mixed drink ordinance. I don't drink and never will. Alcohol makes me talk funny, you know!

 

I'd love to see some big chain restaurants come to Pampa. I would eat at those places, and I'm sure it would help our economy in town. But sometimes you have to take a stand against sin and evil. I believe it's wrong to drink alcohol. More importantly, God thinks it's wrong. The Bible says to 'love what God loves, hate what God hates'. He hates drinking. So, even though it might help our town attract more business, I can't support the new law.

The petition will go to the City Commission later this month and then will be put to voters in the May election. I will be voting my conscience and hope other voters will too. Cheers!