Beer sale ruling could apply to entire state

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It will be the first time the entire panel of administrative law judges, which settles disputes over state licenses, has been asked to settle a case in South Carolina. The city of Greenville contested the beer and wine license applications for five of Piedmont Petroleum's stores.

The state Revenue Department asked for the entire panel because the case has public significance, said Danny Brazell, revenue department spokesman. The court's ruling in the Greenville case could apply statewide, he said.

Greenville was the only city to protest the Revenue Department's ruling that referendums approving Sunday beer and wine sales in restaurants also apply in stores. The state has been issuing licenses in the seven other cities that have Sunday alcohol sales in restaurants.

Greenville pastors have opposed Sunday beer and wine sales in grocery and convenience stores as well.

Caesar Richburg, senior pastor of Allen Temple AME, said alcohol has contributed to what he believes is a fractured state of families and morals. Piedmont Petroleum owners could not be reached for comment.

"My position is that six days is adequate space to make those kinds of purchases, and we should not offer up the additional day," Richburg said.

Mayor Knox White said the city is fighting the permits because voters in the hotly contested 2000 referendum believed they were approving restaurant sales only.

"We want truth in advertising," he said. "The voters spoke on that."

County voters shot down Sunday alcohol sales in December 1999, but city voters passed it the following June.

John Boyanoski covers the city of Greenville. He can be reached at 298-4065.