In the face of passionate opposition, much of it from Baptist clergy, Columbus Council voted to postpone until after a Jan. 31 work session a decision on whether the public will be able to vote on Sunday package alcohol sales

Seven Columbus citizens, some of them Baptist clergy, spoke out against allowing the referendum on July 31 of next year.

The Revs. Jimmy Blanton, Tim Jones and Thomas Pope, all Baptist clergy in Columbus, spoke against the ordinance, as did Jerry Luquire, president of the Georgia Christian Coalition; Paul Olson, a frequent visitor to council and a former candidate for mayor, Bill Madison and Nadine Moore.

Councilor Glenn Davis proposed postponing the first reading until after the work session. After some protest from the ordinance’s sponsor, Councilor Judy Thomas, council voted 7-1 to postpone. Thomas opposed the delay. Councilors Pops Barnes and Mimi Woodson were absent at the time.