Kannapolis citizens will soon have a big decision to make. They will vote March 5 on whether to allow controlled alcohol sales.
I’ve heard over and over in our community that many of the leaders against controlled alcohol sales in Kannapolis have been seen dining and entertaining in restaurants in Concord that serve alcohol. They eat there apparently because they like the food.
My response to this is you bet they do. Most of us living in Kannapolis also love the food at an Applebee’s or a Chili’s type restaurant. However, these folks know restaurants like this would not be in Concord if citizens of Concord had not voted yes for the alcohol referendum in 1994. And, if it is okay to eat in a restaurant in Concord that does most of its business in food and not alcohol, then why is it not okay to allow those restaurants to come to Kannapolis? The most important point is that while the people who do not want controlled alcohol beverage sales in Kannapolis cross the border each day to dine in Concord, they are paying sales taxes that go to Concord, not to Kannapolis. The homeowners in Kannapolis currently make up about 85 percent of the tax base. We need these type businesses in Kannapolis to help us share this burden.
Vote yes for the alcohol beverage election on March 5th and keep our tax dollars in Kannapolis. And, this way we will be able to get some of those restaurants with great tasting food in Kannapolis.
— Tina Byrne
Kannapolis
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