The past several weeks, I’ve read various pro and con letters concerning the liquor-by-the-drink vote on March 5 in Kannapolis.

In recent years, I’ve seen surrounding areas grow while our city seems to stagnate. Although I don’t see a “yes” vote for LBD as a cure-all for our economic woes, I do see it as a practical and vital first step in an effort to kick-start local economic growth.

I have respect for proponents of both sides of this issue. Yet I take issue with remarks such as Phil Meacham Jr.’s quote that “People teaching your children and running your town are the same people who have the morals of a dog and integrity to match.” My dog takes particular offense to this.

Whatever happened to separation of church and state?

Regardless of your particular view on this subject, vote! For or against — but vote!

— Kendall Blackwelder

Kannapolis