Mayor blasts CAAST
By Arthur McLean Editor

After months of trying to walk a fine line on the alcohol debate in Thomasville, Mayor Sheldon Day fired off harsh criticism of the leaders of CAAST, Citizens Against Alcohol Sales in Thomasville, late last week.

In a lengthy letter sent to The Thomasville Times, Day also stated that he will vote yes on the issue in the August 14 vote.

In his letter, which can be read in its entirety on Page 5, Day accused "someone in the leadership at CASST [sic]" of trying to "smear" his name and of making "false representation of several issues."

Day took issue with CAAST's lack of filing the necessary legal papers to establish itself at a political action committee, as required by state law.

As of press time, CAAST has filed the necessary paperwork to be recognized as a PAC, according to spokesman Rob Moore. The filing took place after Day's letter was dated.

Moore said the lack of a filing was simply an oversight. "We've never done this before," Moore said. "We didn't know this was required of us until we read about it in the newspaper." Moore went on to say that the group has now completed all the filings necessary and required by law.

Day's second major point of contention comes from an advertisement run by CAAST that stated : "Thomasville alco- hol ordinance allows sale of alcohol and adult entertainment dancing closer to schools, churches and child care facilities." The advertisement goes on to say, "the ordinance also allows and makes provision for adult entertainment dancing as close as 300 feet from the closest exterior wall of a school, child care facility or church."

Day retorts that such adult entertainment is expressly forbidden in Thomasville by it's zoning ordinance. "they know good and well that all forms of adult entertainment are strictly banned in the entire city limits." Day cited the zoning ordinance chart that states under adult entertainment "not allowed in any district."

Moore said CAAST was not trying to say that adult entertainment was allowed in Thomasville. "We think the wording is vague and open to interpretation. We're afraid someone will come along and try to exploit every little thing." Moore went on to say that the ordinance could always be changed in the future, without a vote of the people.

Day also took issue with the idea that establishments serving alcohol would be located near schools or churches, noting that the city's schools were located in residential areas where the city's new zoning ordinance prohibits commercial establishments.

Moore went on to say that CAAST has "tried to keep the campaign from getting personal. I care about Sheldon, I care about his family; we just don't see eye to eye on this issue. I want this to be over as much as anyone."

Sounding a more conciliatory not himself, Day closed his letter saying, "I just hope that somehow people in this city will allow God to do the judging from now on and that we all can do some forgiving after this election."

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