Is increased availability of alcohol really a good idea for Valdese?

In May 2002, a referendum will be held to allow for a liquor store in Valdese as well as allowing for the sale of beer and wine. We as “Citizens for a Drug-Free Valdese” would simply like to point out the considerable negative effects that this will have on our town if this referendum passes.

1.      Public safety: There can be no argument that people in the outlying areas of Valdese, from Hildebran, Icard, George Hildebran, Drexel, and beyond WILL be driving to Valdese to get their beer, wine or liquor. How many times will those having a party realize they are running low on beer, wine or liquor and drive to Valdese to re-stock? How many of these people will already be impaired when they start out on their journey to Valdese? Whether you consume alcohol regularly or not, do you really want Valdese to become the magnet for those seeking alcohol? Do you really want an increased number of alcohol impaired people driving past your homes, on the same streets with your loved ones? Currently those in Valdese wishing to use alcohol responsibly can get it in a ten-minute drive to Morganton. Let’s leave it that way and keep our families as safe as possible.

2.      Our cultural Heritage:  Valdese is a historic town that has historically been dry. This allows us to go into our stores without seeing cases of beer and wine piled to the ceiling. We don’t see the clutter from the massive, tacky advertising that comes with beer and wine sales. Our children are not confronted with posters and life-size cutouts of half-naked women and sports stars trying to glamorize alcohol. Make no mistake about it, the feel, look and character of Valdese will change when big alcohol marketing hits our stores. Up to now Valdese has felt like Mayberry in many of our hearts and minds. We WILL lose a large measure of that feeling in our town if we vote for this measure.                           

3.      Our Children: The DARE program in our schools has been universally supported in our community. We spend a lot of time, money and effort trying to teach our children that alcohol is a drug and that they should avoid it. What message does it send our children when we as adults allow the alcohol industry to come into our town and saturate it with seductive displays and marketing efforts designed to make alcohol appealing?  If we are honest with ourselves we will have to admit that with dramatically increased availability of alcohol in Valdese, a significant portion of it WILL end up in the hands of our teens and youth. Surveys estimate that AT LEAST one of every ten beers sold ends up being consumed by minors. All it takes is a lot of available alcohol and a few irresponsible “ adults “ and we will see an increase in the number of tragedies among our young people that are already too common in our culture. Study after study has shown that increased availability of alcohol will equal increased alcohol use among our young people.

In conclusion, we believe that the sale of beer, wine and liquor will financially benefit a very small group of individuals in Valdese. The majority of the citizens of Valdese will pay the costs. The costs will come in the forms of decreased safety for our loved ones, a lower quality of life, and a change forever in the character of our little town. Please join us and vote NO in the alcohol referendum in May.

If you would like to help in this effort, join us at CITIZENS FOR A DRUG-FREE VALDESE.  For more information use the contact information below: 

Citizens for a Drug-Free Valdese

Care of :Valdese First Baptist Church

500 Faet St.   Valdese    28690

828-874-2266