Local

Vandals hit Alexander Co. churches against the alcohol referendum

ALEXANDER COUNTY, N.C. — Vandals are targeting Alexander County churches that are against a push to sell alcohol in a referendum on the Nov. 8 ballot.

One of the churches is making its position known by parking a wrecked truck in its yard with a beer can on it.

The Rev. Jeff Chapman of Little River Baptist Church said he can't believe the alcohol referendum in Alexander County has led to people throwing beer bottles in the yard of a local church.

"I think it's depravity on display," Chapman said.

The message on the bottle reads, "If we can't have the tax, you can have the trash."

The Rev. Wesley Hammer of Tabernacle Baptist Church is dealing with more than beer bottles after deputies said a hacker placed photos of his church and three others supporting the alcohol referendum on the churches’ profile page.

"For someone to post us being for it, as a church, knowing we stand against it, out in the public against it, is a setback for us," Hammer said.

Several business owners who don't condone the vandalism or hacking are strongly in favor of the referendum.

They said it would bring in thousands of dollars of tax revenue to Alexander County by allowing the sale of mixed drinks in restaurants and beer and wine in stores.

"We do not have many retail stores or restaurants, and I see this as a mechanism to help the local businesses here that attract new businesses and restaurants," business owner Gary Sain said.

Some voters said Tuesday that they are also concerned about the loss of tax revenue.

"You got 98 other counties in the state that have it, and we're just one of two that don't, so why not get in the bandwagon?" voter Bill Johnson said.

Church leaders believe that the referendum is not what Alexander County needs.

"We are for families,” Hammer said. “We are for marriages, homes, and we are for children."

Alexander County voted on an alcohol referendum three years ago, but it failed by 500 votes. Those in favor of it believe that the presidential election this year will bring more people to the polls.

Read more top trending stories on wsoctv.com: