Snellville to vote on Sunday alcohol ban

By Jonathan Shapiro

Atlanta, GA – For the first time in the Snellville's history, enjoying a glass of wine while dining out on a Sunday is within sight.

For much of the last decade, Mayor Jerry Oberholtzer has pushed to end Snellville's ban on Sunday alcohol sales.

The city is currently one of three in Gwinnett that does not allow alcohol sales even in restaurants on Sundays.

He says businesses have passed on the city because of its strict alcohol rules.

OBERHOLTZER: Back in 2004, we were on the same level with other cities like Suwanee, Duluth, and we didn't do it and you see the quality growth in those two cities and we haven't. So it's an issue of being competitive and doing what's right for our businesses in these economic times.

In November, the strongest supporter of the Sunday alcohol ban was voted off the city council.

The mayor now says he has enough votes to end the ban and extend restaurant and bar hours from midnight to 2 a.m.

The city council votes tonight at 7 p.m.

For WABE News, I'm Jonathan Shapiro.