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Hatteras Island rejects liquor by the drink
 A
referendum on whether restaurants and other establishments should be
allowed to serve mixed drinks was defeated on Hatteras Island by a
decisive margin.The unofficial results were 855, or 56.55 percent, against serving liquor by the drink and 657, or 43.45, in favor. The mixed-drink referendum was the only issue on the Hatteras ballot on Nov. 6, since there were no county, state, or federal elections. The ballot read, “To permit the sale of mixed beverages in hotels, restaurants, private clubs, community theaters and convention centers. For. Against.” Referendum voting took place at the five Hatteras Island precinct polling places in the island’s two townships -- Kinnakeet, which includes Rodanthe, Waves, and Salvo, and Avon, and Hatteras, which includes Buxton, Frisco, and Hatteras village. Several local restaurants took the lead in getting the issue on the ballot. Among the reasons the businesses cited was leveling the playing field since liquor by the drink is allowed on the northern beaches and in Ocracoke. Restaurant owners also said that ending the practice of “brown bagging” or allowing customers to bring their own bottles of liquor into a restaurant was a more responsible approach since servers would be able to cut off those who had imbibed too much. Island churches led the opposition to serving mixed drinks. Opponents cited the increased danger from drunk drivers and the island’s problems with substance abuse.  
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