CHINA GROVE — A community block party held last Saturday in China Grove spurred dialogue among town council members about the town’s alcohol ordinance.

The party, which was geared toward children with games, face painting, Touch-a-Truck activities and more, offered craft beer tasting inside the community building.

“What turned out Saturday was a town-sponsored beer party,” said council member Steve Stroud, who added discussion about the ordinance to the council’s agenda on Tuesday.

Stroud previously voted yes to an exception that allowed alcohol consumption and possession on the building’s grounds.

But he said he was unaware the exception would extend to community-sponsored events.

“My sole understanding was that it would be for private parties and weddings,” he said. “… That’s OK, but to be selling alcohol on town property, especially with the town providing a free-of-charge building? I don’t want to see that happen.”

Stroud asked that a change be made to the ordinance that would prohibit the town’s involvement with alcohol sales at future functions.

If nothing else, he said, he wants the opportunity to vote against it and for that to be on record.

“With 45 years in law enforcement, I’ve seen what alcohol does to families,” he said. “It’s ruined more lives than all the drugs that’s ever been.”

Mayor Lee Withers said that he viewed the party as a learning experience that had prompted good dialogue among council members.

He said the council now needs time to solicit input from the residents rather than acting on personal moral beliefs.

“We were all elected for who we are, what out beliefs are, what we stand for,” said Withers. “… We need to think about what we stand for and believe in but … remember we’re the voice of the people as we sit up here.”

Mayor Pro Tem Brandon Linn said he agrees with both Withers and Stroud: the event was inconsistent with its audience but it provided an opportunity for further discussion.

He said communication is key and that he hadn’t known about the alcohol sales before the day of the event.

“I know that our town manager is very good about dialogue,” he said. “I didn’t get a phone call, so I was a little taken aback as well.”

Withers argued in return that the Parks and Recreation Department had communicated plans for the beer tasting.

Fliers distributed by town event coordinator Patti Price also listed the offering, he said.

Councilman Rodney Phillips contested that it is the council’s job to go out and listen and learn the desires of town residents.

He said the town is trying to attract more 25- to 40-year-old parents, a group that is used to this sort of amenity at community events.

People that age show up expecting such after attending neighboring community gatherings, said Phillips.

“If we start trying to legislate our morals and not listen to what Parks and Recreation is saying, what the 35-year-olds who are moving to town are asking us to do, then we start to become numb to what we need to be doing,” he said.

Arthur Heggins, another council member and former pastor, agreed.

“I’m just not for alcoholic beverages, but at the same time I serve the town of China Grove and I serve the residents of the town,” said Heggins. “I would want to know what the town concerns and their beliefs are. That would be the way that I make my decision.”

Withers ended the discussion by challenging council members and town staff to both talk with residents and look at what surrounding comparable towns are doing.

“Let’s not look at Charlotte. Let’s not look at Greensboro,” he said. “Let’s look at the 5,000 to 20,000 population town.”

The town will have the next 60 days to talk with residents and research the issues, as the town’s July meeting has been canceled.

On Aug. 7, the council will decide whether to pursue an ordinance change.