By Scott Mims

The sale of alcohol is now legal in Jemison, per an ordinance passed unanimously by the city council Monday night.

The ordinance establishes rules and regulations, license fees, license procedures, and punishment for violations. It follows a special municipal election in which the majority of voters favored the legal sale of alcoholic beverages.

For those who are wondering, it will be two to three months before people can actually purchase alcohol in Jemison.

“The process is going to take at least another two months,” Mayor Eddie Reed said. “This just makes it legal. We do not have our applications ready, and people (anyone who wants to sell alcohol) will have to be screened.”

Reed said the ordinance is based on state recommendations handed down from the State ABC Board to the city.

The ordinance becomes effective immediately.

“It’s a well-written article with many controlled factors therein,” Reed said. “Lawyers have looked at it from many areas.”

Anyone who wishes to view the ordinance may do so at City Hall.

In other business, the council voted to purchase playground equipment from Griffen Recreation of Pelham for $62,885.

The new equipment, to be constructed at Jemison City Park, will be handicap-accessible and will include several modern safety features.

The project is being funded by a $30,000 Land and Water Conservation grant through the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs. The city must match that amount.

“This is something the citizens of our community have been asking us to do,” Reed said.

The timeline of construction will depend upon weather.