During a 2.5-hour-long meeting Tuesday night, the Bogalusa City Council approved an ordinance that will permit some alcohol sales on Sunday.

The ordinance amends the city code by adding the following language:

“It shall be lawful for vendors who hold only a Class B, retail liquor permit … to sell alcohol beverages for consumption off the license premises otherwise known as package sales between the hours of 12:00 noon Sunday and 10:00 P.M. Sunday.”

The ordinance passed by a 5-1 vote. Sherry Fortenberry voted “nay” and Gloria Kates abstained. Scott Ard, Teddy Drummond, Brian McCree, Doug Ritchie and Tamira Smith voted in favor of the ordinance.

Several members of the public spoke concerning the ordinance, with some in favor of it and some against it.

Opponents of the measure said it was sad that one day couldn’t be set aside for the Lord’s Day, and expressed their concern that prayer had already been taken out of schools and this was just another example of defying God. Those in favor of the ordinance said that the city could use the taxes from the alcohol sales, as it would keep citizens from needing to drive to St. Tammany Parish or Mississippi.

For more on this story, see the Friday, April 19, 2018, edition of The Daily News.