The Wesson Board of Aldermen decided not to amend its relatively new alcohol ordinance after much discussion at its recent meeting.

The current ordinance in Wesson states that no beer can be sold on Sundays, only Monday through Saturday. Beer can also be purchased in any restaurant in Wesson that opts in to the ordinance that allows them to serve by the glass.

Liquor is sold in Wesson due to laws pertaining to Copiah County.

Several residents voiced their opinions on why beer should or shouldn’t be sold in Wesson on Sundays.

“I think Wesson has made progress by allowing beer sales,” said Ward 4 Alderman Mike King. “It brings us into the 21st Century.”

At the end of the meeting, the board made no decision to amend the ordinance, but only to clean up the language so that all sales will be excluded on Sundays, including beer sales by the glass in restaurants.

“We realize that each person has a different opinion, and that doesn’t make a person good or bad,” said Mayor Alton Shaw. “A difference of opinion should not infringe upon friendships.”

Alderman Jarrad Ashley, who owns a business that sells beer, recused himself from the discussion. 

Town updates

grant projects

Wesson is in line to receive hundreds of thousands in funding that will help with a new police facility, improvements to a park, renovate the library and fix a few roads.

The town will use $300,000 in state funding to build a new police station. The funds will come from a bond bill passed in the Legislature. Officials looked at a vacant building next to the library to renovate and convert, but the plan will most likely be to level off the current police station and rebuild there.

Wesson is also using $100,000 in state funding to fix roads in town. A $314,000 Mississippi Development Authority grant will be used for interior renovations and adding additional space at the library. Surveying is currently being completed for that project.

And finally, a $30,000 grant from Blue Cross will be used at the park. This will allow the city to put in ADA accessibility.

 

Story by Gracie Byrne