BOLLINGER COUNTY TO DECIDE BLUE LAW

MARBLE HILL -- Bollinger County voters will decide Aug. 4 whether to repeal the Blue Law that prohibits the sale of some items on Sunday.

A simply majority is needed to repeal the Blue Law.

The Bollinger County Commission recently decided to submit the issue to the voters.

The city of Marble Hill and the Bollinger County Chamber of Commerce had urged the commission to repeal the Blue Law. But Associate Commissioner Rod Jetton said the commission felt the voters should decide.

"It's a moral issue for many people, and we felt that it would be best for everyone to come out and vote their conscience instead of us overturning it ourselves," he said.

Jetton said it made sense to put it on the same ballot as the state primary.

Although the commission agreed to hold the election, Jetton said the public has been largely silent on the issue.

The issue may be more symbolic than anything.

Jetton said the prohibition against Sunday sales isn't strictly enforced in Bollinger County.

"Basically, we are selling stuff now," he said. The county hasn't prosecuted businesses for being open on Sunday.

"I think they are all open if they want to be," said Jetton.

Bollinger County Sheriff Dennis Willis isn't looking to enforce the Blue Law.

"I've got more important things to do than worry about someone selling pipe wrenches on a Sunday when I'm out trying to keep others from selling cocaine and meth on Mondays," he said when the issue first surfaced in February.

Controversy about the Blue Law arose after the city received complaints about the new Dollar General Store being open on Sundays.

The Marble Hill City Council was questioned as to whether the county still had a Blue Law.

The Blue Law was found to be still on the books. Over the years, other counties in Southeast Missouri have repealed the Blue Law, including all of those surrounding Bollinger County.

Cape Girardeau County repealed it in 1984, Madison County in 1988, Perry County in 1993 and Wayne and Stoddard counties in 1995.

Marble Hill City Administrator David Jackson said the city wants to respect the Sabbath. At the same time, it has to be practical.

He said many Bollinger County residents shop or dine out on Sunday. "People are leaving the county to shop for convenience," Jackson said.

He said if the Blue Law were strictly enforced, it could make it difficult to attract new businesses.

City officials have said repeal of the Blue Law could lead to economic growth, increased jobs and increased choices for consumers.