Aiken County Council voted 7-2 on Tuesday night in favor of an ordinance proposing the suspension of blue laws, which prohibit the sale of certain items before 1:30 p.m. on Sundays.
The ordinance is expected to receive a third and final reading at Council's Aug. 18 meeting. Millbrook Elementary student Emory Lewis softly requested that for the benefit of his fellow students Council repeal blue laws.
The rising fifth-grader was the last to speak during a lengthy public hearing in front of a standing room-only crowd that gathered in Council chambers to share opinions on the laws.
The Aiken County Council later voted to approve the ordinance on a second reading after hearing Lewis and a number of others speak.
"My mom is a teacher and I hear her talk all the time about not having enough money," Lewis said.
Lewis and a number of other people who spoke argued that valuable sales tax dollars, which benefit the public school system, are lost every Sunday when Aiken County residents cross the river into Georgia to shop before 1:30 p.m.
Schools now look to retail sales tax as a revenue stream ever since S.C. Act 388 altered property tax law so that schools no longer benefit from those dollars.
"Schools are underfunded, businesses are facing increased property taxes and are at a competitive disadvantage (to businesses in Augusta where blue laws do not exist)," said Nancy Gage, chair of the North Augusta Chamber of Commerce.
Both the North Augusta Chamber of Commerce and Greater Aiken Chamber of Commerce have joined forces in supporting the repeal, believing that permitting Sunday sales will be a step in the right direction to provide much needed revenue to support this area's school children.
Several chamber representatives wore buttons that said "Support Our Kids." Yet, those in support of retaining blue laws scoffed at the idea that there is so much pent-up shopping power it could make a big economic difference with unrestricted Sunday sales.
"The chambers of commerce say more tax dollars will help the schools. Ladies and gentlemen, that's a joke," said Andy Windham, who waved a copy of Karl Marx's "Communist Manifesto" around while he spoke. "No matter how much money you shovel into them, they will always want more."
Debate raged from person to person who stood up to speak their mind during the public hearing, not only on the benefits of more sales tax dollars but also on the topic of religion and what place it has in government.
Some speakers argued Sunday is a holy day and a day of rest and should be observed by attending church services and by refraining from any worldly work, labor and business.
"Vote not on the spirit of the age, but on principle," Kevin Metcalf urged. "Surely you don't want to go down as the Voltaire who thought during the French Revolution that if the Sabbath was destroyed, it would destroy Christianity. Place your allegiance with the Lord on this one."
A pastor from a local Seventh Day Adventist Church urged Council to keep religion out of the matter and let businesses do what they want to do. After the public comment portion of the hearing was closed,
Chairman Ronnie Young asked everyone in the audience who supported and who did not support the repeal of blue laws to stand up separately. Those who stood up in support of the repeal were the clear majority.
Council members Willar Hightower, Charles Barton, Eddie Butler, Young, Chuck Smith, Scott Singer and Kathy Rawls voted to approve the suspension. Council members Gary Bunker and LaWana McKenzie voted in opposition.
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Comment Title: Tax Increase within 3 years
While I am in favor of repealing the Blue laws I found it quite shameful the way it was performed. It was politics at its best or worse however you wish to view it. Some blaming the religious folks, others poor mouthing about all the tax revenue that was going across the river, I am just surprised someone did not find a way to throw race in this debate. I hope everyone remembers this discussion and the thought of this huge windfall the county will be receiving once these laws are repealed when the school or county looks for a tax/millage increase. If those folks were actually telling the truth our taxes should go down next year.
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Posted by: James On: Friday, July 24, 2009 10:56 AM
Comment Title: Sunday Sales
Keep the money in SC.It's just an example of how people will drive a little to shop.No Sunday sales for SC means more tax money to Augusta.I say sell everything but alcohol on Sunday.Going to church is a choice that is the individuals decision.
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Posted by: On: Thursday, July 23, 2009 5:32 PM
Comment Title: A glimmer of intellignet thought
Finally, a sign of intelligent life in the Aiken County Council Chambers. Bunker and McKenzie remain the dimmest of bulbs.
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Posted by: On: Thursday, July 23, 2009 3:37 PM
Comment Title: sheriff's office vehicles
Why do each of the deputies need a vehicle to drive home anyway??? How many shifts and how many deputies are there??? why should we as tax payers stand by while they get a free ride back and forth to work while everyone else puts out more of their hard-earned money on gas and vehicle payments and maintenance. Why not have the deputies drive their own vehicle back and forth to work like everyone else?? Why should they ask to give their officers a raise when they should be figuring in the benefit of the free gas and vehicle. Look at the pretty new trucks that was added to the sheriff's office fleet!!! Were those thirty-thousand dollar vehicles necessary??? Couldn't a cheaper vehicle serve the same purpose???
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Posted by: On: Thursday, July 23, 2009 2:59 PM
Comment Title:
Finally a Christian who isn't a self-proclaimed hypocrite. Good for you. Way to respect others. That is actually.....Christian-like
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Posted by: J On: Thursday, July 23, 2009 11:32 AM
Comment Title: Change is GOOD
I am a Christian. I consider myself to be a strong and faithful Christian. However, I realize that God does not ask me to try to regulate the behavior of others by making it harder for them to shop on Sunday mornings. Furthermore, I realize that not everyone is a Christian, and I respect their right to worship (or not) however they choose. It is not the place of the citizens of Aiken or the county government to make time for God in people's schedules. Finally, I'd like to point out that there are plenty of people who already work on Sundays. Society doesn't stop, and we'd be in terrible shape if it did. For some people their day of rest in Wednesday or Thursday or some other day, and there is nothing wrong with that. To those "Christians" who feel the need to dictate the behavior of others, I suggest that you focus on yourself and on God. As long as no one is jeopardizing your religious rights, let it be.
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Posted by: looking eyes On: Thursday, July 23, 2009 11:02 AM
Comment Title: SHERIFFS OFFICE VEHICLES
Whomever put the statement about the sheriffs cars sitting in yeards and the waffle house just idling. Get this.... go by Couchton Fire Department in the afternoons between 515 and 545 pm. there's on that sits there everyday and yesterday he had the blue lights running, with noone around. TALK ABOUT A WASTE, i didn't know the Couchton Fire Department had so much crime!!!
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Posted by: On: Thursday, July 23, 2009 5:25 AM
Comment Title: Councilman Barton
I do not believe a word that Charles Barton said about Southern Baptist Preachers. He does not have time to talk to anyone and tell the truth. I hope we can get him out of District 6. Ride by his place it looks like he may be Pee Wees brother.
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Posted by: Bruce On: Wednesday, July 22, 2009 11:51 PM
Comment Title:
I love it when a message board virgin thinks they have an original thought. I think I peed a little laughing at this idiot.
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Posted by: Bruce On: Wednesday, July 22, 2009 11:44 PM
Comment Title:
LOL I have seen better presentation before , this isn't my first day here, but you seem to think you are original, really is this your first day on the internet?
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Posted by: George On: Wednesday, July 22, 2009 11:28 PM
Comment Title: Message for Bruce
To be able to truly love yourself and love someone else, you must drop the ego.
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Posted by: Hank On: Wednesday, July 22, 2009 11:24 PM
Comment Title: voting bruce out
yeah bruce. go to bed.
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Posted by: Bri On: Wednesday, July 22, 2009 11:23 PM
Comment Title:
Aw come on people its a website.. are you really going to let someone on the internet who you have never met get you this angry? Get a life! I like ya Bruce, your comments make me laugh, especially when you get others all worked up. Have a good day everyone, and how do you know that this Bruce who everyone hates so much hasn't let you out in traffic, or opened a door for you in a store? Ya never know!
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Posted by: Scott On: Wednesday, July 22, 2009 10:55 PM
Comment Title: vote Bruce out
Hate to tell you Bruce, but you do seem to be worrying yourself, or you wouldn't keep looking at the comments to see who's talking about you. You are worried and concerned. If not then go to bed and stop reading the comments.
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Posted by: Bruce On: Wednesday, July 22, 2009 10:53 PM
Comment Title:
Dude if you are gonna sit here and make up multiple names at least cover your tell so you are not so blatant in your ignorance. Can you spot your mistake or would you like me to point it out? Come on did you really think I wouldn't spot it? You better put your pea brain to work on a better plan.
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Posted by: Bruce On: Wednesday, July 22, 2009 10:02 PM
Comment Title:
If you know me then tell all the people who want to know who I am. You can't because as with most things you just don't know. Are you just hoping to know me to boost up your miserable non life in hopes someone like me would waste precious time out of my life to concern myself with your petty problems? I think you are a friendless nobody who has to come to a anonymous message board and claim friendship to make your loveless pathetic life more bearable as you wake up day after day trying to convince yourself that you can get through one more day of your cold dark existence where even your own mother wishes she had aborted you to save her the shame of bearing you.
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Posted by: James On: Wednesday, July 22, 2009 9:52 PM
Comment Title: VOTE BRUCE OUT
By another one of Bruce's rude comments about the south, one can tell he must be from the north. I say vote the fool out!!
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Posted by: On: Wednesday, July 22, 2009 9:50 PM
Comment Title:
Tony Lohnes once again embarrasses himself by his complete lack of knowledge and facts. Go sit in your church and pray really hard and give it all your money and don't try to tell everybody else how to live.
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Posted by: BRUCE'S SUPPOSED FRIEND-NOT REALLY On: Wednesday, July 22, 2009 9:26 PM
Comment Title: vote bruce out
I'm voting to vote Bruce out. He's sickening. I happen to know him, and I don't even like him. He thinks I do, but I don't.
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Posted by: Bruce On: Wednesday, July 22, 2009 9:26 PM
Comment Title: George
What is an angee person? Are you the product of South Carolinas stellar educational system? Or just another inbred red neck, the byproduct of first cousin loving? I would guess the latter.
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Posted by: On: Wednesday, July 22, 2009 9:25 PM
Comment Title: BLUE LAW
If people don't want to work, then there's plenty of people that would love to work. Stop your whining.
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Posted by: Steve On: Wednesday, July 22, 2009 8:39 PM
Comment Title: VOTE BRUCE OUT
I don't like Bruce either, but you all stop picking on him. He can't help that he's impotent.
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Posted by: On: Wednesday, July 22, 2009 8:37 PM
Comment Title: blue laws
First, I like some of Bruces comments. Second you say now without the blue law some people can now work if they want. What about the people who dont want to work but will be pressured to do so by big box retailers.
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Posted by: George On: Wednesday, July 22, 2009 7:58 PM
Comment Title: VOTE BRUCE OUT
Here he goes again. Puking from the mouth. What a num chuck of a person this Bruce person is. Sitting in his trailer house from the 50's. Soaking his false teeth. Combing his hair, I mean looking at his bald head, like it's a mirror. Oh, did he say he was impotent? SO THAT'S WHY HE'S SUCH A ANGREE PERSON! POOR BRUCE!!
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Posted by: Tony Lohnes On: Wednesday, July 22, 2009 7:23 PM
Comment Title: Say no to Sunday shopping
It's horrible that so many Councilors voted to suspend blue laws. No wonder families don't have time to spend together any more. What makes us human is being able to interact with families and friends on a common day off. I have to wonder why any one at schools would want there mother and father working instead of spending that time with them? **valuable sales tax dollars, which benefit the public school system, are lost every Sunday when Aiken County residents cross the river into Georgia to shop before 1:30 p.m*** Comments like this has me wondering. Sounds like scare tactics to me to get people to want to support the suspension of blue laws. Why is it that other people are deciding whether or not that retail workers should work before 1:30? Can retail stores decide what you do on a Sunday? The retail sector is being discriminated against. Has anyone considered the environment ? Encouraging more traffic on the roads. Encouraging business's with lights on another day? Think about it! There will be extra costs with all these extra hours of operation. It's a mistake , fight to ban stores from opening on Sunday period. Close then all and put you're families first. One final comment.. open schools on Sunday. Open all government offices on Sunday. And while you are at it get mail delivered to you on Sunday. http://www.saveoursundays.ca
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Posted by: On: Wednesday, July 22, 2009 6:24 PM
Comment Title: 7 Warrants Per Day
Give the sheriff something else to was his resources on besides Sunday morning early retail sales. He burning about $10,000 per day to run the sheriff's office and that's mean each warrant he issues cost taxpayers a little over $1,000 without even factoring in the cost of city law enforcement and SCHP (state, Aiken, North Augusta). Why do you think you see so many sheriff deputy cars sitting in yards, at the waffle house and idle all over the place?
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Posted by: On: Wednesday, July 22, 2009 5:20 PM
Comment Title: Re: a shame
"As Christians we need to stand up for what we believe" - you are allowed by The Constitution of the United States to practice your religion freely. So why do you hypocritical and oppressive Christians feel the need to dictate what non-Christians can and can not do? How would you like it if non-Christians passed laws on how you could worship and when you could worship and where you could worship? Christians need to stop being the most oppressive, aggressive, war-mongering, hypocrites on Earth.
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Posted by: Aiken Charm On: Wednesday, July 22, 2009 5:14 PM
Comment Title: Blue Laws In...Blue Laws Out....Now what are we going to complain about
I really don't care one way or the other about these blue laws because I will still be in church on Sunday morning. All I can say though is for all of you who get Sunday mornings to sleep in...you can kiss that goodbye pretty soon because it will be gone.
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Posted by: Bruce On: Wednesday, July 22, 2009 4:16 PM
Comment Title: JUST
Ask yourself this , do I strike you as a person who gives a crap what you or anyone else thinks??
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Posted by: Bruce On: Wednesday, July 22, 2009 4:11 PM
Comment Title:
Just the blue laws your votes don't count LOL, I will be here until I get bored and you idiots provide me with endless amusement, just as you can't stop Aiken from moving into the 21st century you can't stop me either, your pathetic cries of frustration at censuring my free speech makes me smile, and your impotent rage just proves my control that I can exercise from my keyboard at any time. So feed the kids, clean the trailer and come on back, I'll be here,I'll always be here LMAO.
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Posted by: Cauthers, B. On: Wednesday, July 22, 2009 3:58 PM
Comment Title:
Okey dokey, it looks like the blue law is out. Whatever are the whiners going to whine about now? Oh, I know Pee Wee's eyesore junkyard and that gosh darn ugly inside and out Mae's Video store. It's about time to have another revival.
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Posted by: Just wondering On: Wednesday, July 22, 2009 3:49 PM
Comment Title:
Bruce with all of the "out you go votes" will you reinvent yourself by creating a new name, new personality and stop showing off your googling and cut and pasting skills?
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Posted by: On: Wednesday, July 22, 2009 3:49 PM
Comment Title: a shame
Its a shame to see a religious based law be voted on for suspension by people attending a Christian school. That's kind of odd huh? As Christians we need to stand up for what we believe. Sunday is a day of rest. I think Blue laws should stay, besides you can buy groceries on Sundays now before 1:30, what more do you need?
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Posted by: in awe. On: Wednesday, July 22, 2009 2:29 PM
Comment Title: Blue laws make NO sense.
What good are blue laws based on religion when you can go into any grocery store (open first thing on Sunday morning) and purchase beer and wine?
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Posted by: Martin On: Wednesday, July 22, 2009 1:22 PM
Comment Title: Vote Bruce Out
I vote Bruce out too! He's such a loser!
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Posted by: Fred On: Wednesday, July 22, 2009 1:15 PM
Comment Title: BLUE LAW
I also think that Aiken County Tax payers should be the ones to vote on the blue law, not the council. They are only a few people. They are not the only citizens in Aiken. The Blue Law is an ancient law. Aiken needs to get into the 21st century.
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Posted by: Mike On: Wednesday, July 22, 2009 1:08 PM
Comment Title: I Vote Bruce Out
I vote to vote Bruce out. He loves quoting from others because he doesn't have his own quotes. He loves himself because no one else will love him.
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Posted by: Brian On: Wednesday, July 22, 2009 12:51 PM
Comment Title: I Vote Bruce Out
Hey! I vote Bruce out! He must not have a job, and all he knows to do is plaster his name-calling in the Aiken Standard comment section.
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Posted by: On: Wednesday, July 22, 2009 12:50 PM
Comment Title:
I don't think Bruce is running a Popularity Contest. :-p~~
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Posted by: Tammy On: Wednesday, July 22, 2009 12:47 PM
Comment Title: VOTE BRUCE OUT!
I'm sure Aiken Standard would love to get rid of "Bruce" too. As a friend of an Aiken Standard employee says, he wastes a lot of their time posting his comments. He is a name-calling, thinks-he-knows-it-all idiot!
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Posted by: Steve On: Wednesday, July 22, 2009 12:43 PM
Comment Title: Vote Bruce Out!
I vote to "vote Bruce out". I am also sick of this idiot.
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Posted by: Bruce Himself On: Wednesday, July 22, 2009 12:38 PM
Comment Title: BRUCE'S IDIOTIC COMMENTS
It would be so nice if "Brucey" got out of town himself. Everybody that is sick of his comments should each place a "vote Bruce out" comment in Aiken Standard. Sooooooooo many people are sick of you Bruce!!!! So just SHUT UP WILL YOU!! Nobody likes you stupid!
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Posted by: Deb On: Wednesday, July 22, 2009 12:32 PM
Comment Title: BLUE LAW OUTRAGEOUS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
ONE MORE TIME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I AM A CHRISTIAN, BUT THE "BLUE LAW" ISN'T GOING TO STOP ME FROM GOING TO CHURCH. USING RELIGION IS THE MOST OUTRAGEOUS EXCUSE EVER! AIKEN NEEDS TO GET RID OF SOME OF THOSE COUNCIL MEMBERS. THEY AIKEN PUBLIC NEED TO BE THE ONES TO VOTE.....NOT THE COUNCIL MEMBERS!! I SAY VOTE THEM ALL OUT!
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Posted by: Bruce On: Wednesday, July 22, 2009 11:18 AM
Comment Title: Hard worker
Pack your crap and hit the road, you wouldn't be a great loss anyway.
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Posted by: Walter from Aiken On: Wednesday, July 22, 2009 10:53 AM
Comment Title: No blue laws means no more school funding problems!
You know why Richmond County has absolutely no problem at all funding education? No blue laws. So PLEASE get rid of the blue laws so all of our funding education problems will be over.
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Posted by: Hard worker On: Wednesday, July 22, 2009 10:36 AM
Comment Title: Blue Laws
Another reason to leave Aiken County. This place sucks!!!
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Posted by: Aiken Girl since 76 On: Wednesday, July 22, 2009 9:06 AM
Comment Title: It's about Time we got into 2009!
People need to realize that being open on Sunday morning is just putting money back in our economy and giving people more work hours that probably need it especially those who work retail i'm sure they don't make a whole lot of money to beging with. I mean you can go buy beer on Sunday before 1:30 but you can't get panty hose for church? so how much sense does that make especially for all of you that go to church that may need to purchase something before you get there! This just makes alot more sense and it is just more money like I said back into our town and more money in peoples wallets that need to work on Sunday!! I think it's wonderful!!
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Posted by: HDL On: Wednesday, July 22, 2009 8:34 AM
Comment Title:
im glad to hear this has happened, i see that all has been said that can be said
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Posted by: On: Wednesday, July 22, 2009 8:31 AM
Comment Title: Blue Laws
What a load of crap! Getting rid of blue laws is NOT going to change the school budget shortfall, perhaps it may add a $100 per month. The Aiken County Commission has yet again voted against the working man.
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Posted by: On: Wednesday, July 22, 2009 8:21 AM
Comment Title:
For all the comments last night, no one mentioned one of the most compelling. With the economy the way it is, its hard to make ends meet. Why should the religious hypocrites have the right to tell someone who wants to work on Sunday morning to help make ends meet that they can't. I'm glad we are finally taking one tiny step into the 21st century. Thanks, County Council for taking this step forward.
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Posted by: On: Wednesday, July 22, 2009 8:21 AM
Comment Title: SUNDAY
For all of those "Christians" fighting to keep the Blue Laws and for the two members of Council that ignored the magority of their constituents, maybe you should learn the laws of the land as well as you quote the Bible. Several of you thought that the Constitution did not apply to Council and none of you were present when Council voted to extend Sunday Bar Service hours last month. No wonder you cling to your Sundays, after all it was the Sun worshiping Ruler Constantine that made "Sun-Day" the day to worship his god and to rest in his glory. Learn the law and read some history before you cling so boldly to a false idol.
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Posted by: On: Wednesday, July 22, 2009 7:32 AM
Comment Title:
LaWanna McKenzie has always been questionable in my mind....wasn't she the one who suggested the County could save money by buying police cars without air conditioning?
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Posted by: On: Wednesday, July 22, 2009 5:49 AM
Comment Title: Thank You
Thank You County Council.. Now I won't have to drive to Augusta to go to Lowes on Sunday morning after I get out of Church.. For those who don't like the law, perhaps your church should look at changing it's worship times to an earlier service like a lot of church's are now doing. I go at 10am, then it's off to Lowes and Home Depot. If for no other reason than to just look....Thank You County Council. You are the greatest Council we have ever had... Just keep Phil Nappier off the list.
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Posted by: abd On: Wednesday, July 22, 2009 5:46 AM
Comment Title: Thanks and no thanks
THANK YOU Council Members Hightower, Barton, Butler, Young, Smith, Singer and Rawls! We will remember this at election time. Thank you, thank you, thank you. To Council Members Rawls and Bunker, thanks for nothing. We'll remember your votes, too.
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Posted by: On: Wednesday, July 22, 2009 5:46 AM
Comment Title: Finally
Thank God, our County Council has finally seen the light to rid this county of such a stupid law..Go to church at 10 and stop at walmart on the way home.. Makes sense to me... Thank You County Council, Thank you... now I won't have to drive to Lowes in Augusta any more..
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Posted by: On: Wednesday, July 22, 2009 5:12 AM
Comment Title: Blue Laws
The Blue Laws discriminate against retailers. If they have to keep their doors closed until 1:30 on Sundays, then so should gas stations, grocery stores, etc. However, those people that do work on Sundays are probably grateful to have that job.
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Posted by: On: Wednesday, July 22, 2009 5:06 AM
Comment Title:
we gonna have us some aiken witch trials
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Posted by: On: Wednesday, July 22, 2009 12:47 AM
Comment Title:
"Some speakers argued Sunday is a holy day and a day of rest and should be observed by attending church services and by refraining from any worldly work, labor and business." - One more time......WHAT DOES RELIGION HAVE TO DO WITH IT? What religion says it is ok for some work or labor is ok on Sunday mornings but others are not? What religion says all work after 1:30pm on Sunday is ok? This is just purely hypocritical and Christians who choose to practice their religion in church on Sunday mornings have the audacity to try and tell others what they can and can not do based soley on their individual religion. That is just assinine and hypocritical to the Nth degree.
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Posted by: On: Wednesday, July 22, 2009 12:43 AM
Comment Title:
Gary Bunker and LaWana McKenzie - wtf are you thinking?
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