City puts Sunday liquor question on 2016 ballot

Luverne voters will have an opportunity this fall to answer the question of allowing on-sale liquor on Sundays.
Recent history shows a lack of support for the measure.
In 2004, 60 percent of Luverne voters said “no” to the question of allowing on-sale liquor on Sundays.
In 2008 Luverne voters again rejected Sunday liquor sales (requested then by Dave Halverson for Sharkee’s) by a narrow margin of 1,232-1,180.
This year the question will again be posed on the general election ballot at the request of Brian Sterling of Sterling’s Café & Grille.
According to state law, a city may issue a Sunday liquor license only if authorized to do so by the voters.
At Tuesday’s meeting City Council members voted to again put the question on the ballot.
Approving it does not mean the council approves of a Sunday liquor license. It just means voters will have a chance to say what their stance is on the Sunday liquor question.
The question on the Nov. 8 ballot will ask, “Shall the Luverne City Council be allowed to issue on-sale licenses to restaurants, clubs, bowling centers and hotels for the sale of intoxicating liquor at retail on Sundays?”
If voters authorize the city to issue Sunday liquor licenses, the city can put its own restrictions on the terms of the licensure.