The vetoed resolution to amend Starkville’s beer ordinance may notsee an override tonight, after all.
The Board of Aldermen needs to sustain the original 5 to 2 vote
favoring the extension of restaurant hours on weekend nights in order to
successfully override Mayor Mack Rutledge’s Friday veto. However, questions
of conflict of interest may cause one original supporter to withdraw his vote,
putting the vote at 4 to 2.
Ward 5 Alderman Virgil Bolin’s family ties to a prominent Starkville
restaurant owner, Curt Crissey, may cause Bolin to step down during any
possible voting in tonight’s meeting.
According to Ward 4 Alderman Lee Beck, Mississippi’s code of ethics
defines family as siblings, children or a spouse. Bolin’s relationship to Crissey
is a relationship through marriage; Crissey is Bolin’s son-in-law. However, the
fine line of the ethic’s code may cause Bolin to step down for the vote.
“That is a possibility,” Bolin said when questioned about stepping down
in the case of a vote tonight. “It may be that the board will not even vote on
the matter.”
The board and Rutledge are aware of the possible conflict of interest,
but Rutledge said the State Ethics Commissionwill determine whether there
is a true ethical situation.
“The situation has been reviewed,” Beck said. “I don’t see it as a
conflict. Curt Crissey is financially independent, and Alderman Bolin has no
money ties to Crissey’s restaurant business. If Alderman Bolin does decide
to step down, I don’t think that I or any of the other aldermen will move to
override the veto.”
“I think the vote to override will occur if Virgil Bolin decides to vote,”
Frank Davis, Ward 2, said. “There might not be a vote if he decides to excuse
himself.”
The two votes opposing the resolution at the Sept. 4 meeting came
from Davis and Vic Zitta. Zitta, according to Beck, is currently out of the
country. However, Davis said he would “certainly consider a compromise,”
but did not envision his vote changing.
“College campus drinking is a problem,” Davis said. “I fear an increase
of (serving) hours would increase this problem. I had some 40 calls
(regarding the ordinance) and 98 percent were against the present motion. If
I felt I was voting for something to solve drinking problems, I would be for it.”
The Board of Aldermen will hold their usual meeting tonight at 5:30 in
City Hall. These meetings are open to the public, and all are welcome to
attend.