The Ruston City Council voted in favor of making its temporary ban on alcohol sales after midnight permanent, despite strong opposition from the business community.
On Tuesday the council voted 4-1 to pass the ordinance, which prohibits the sale of alcohol after midnight and requires businesses that do sell alcohol to close at 1 a.m. or be subject to a misdemeanor citation. It will go into effect Nov. 12, the city clerk confirmed Friday.
The city’s initial ban on liquor sales after midnight took effect last December and was set to expire Nov. 16. Council members Jenn Jensen, John Holland, Jim Hedrick and Bradley Huson voted in favor of the ordinance and Lynn Syler voted against, according to the city clerk. All members but Jensen voted to waive the first reading of the ordinance and move straight into a second reading and adoption of the permanent ban on Nov. 4, according to city records. Mayor Bruce Hopkins did not vote, as the city of Ruston has a Mayor-Council form of government, which means the mayor does not vote on issues, except in the case of a tie…