The bill that would allow residents of Cedar Bluff to vote on a wet/dry issue moves to its second stage this week.

Sen. Larry Means (D-Atalla) is the sponsor of the local option bill, which first must be advertised four weeks. The advertisement is appearing in The Herald today for the fourth consecutive publication.

“It’ll go to Local Legislation One,” Sen. Means explained of the next step. “Sen. (Gerald) Dial (D-Lineville) and I will have to it, then it will be brought up before the Senate. That’s several weeks away. Then it will go to the House, and (Rep.) Richard (Lindsey, D-Centre) will have to sign it.”

Sen. Means said he has had just one letter in reference to the bill. “They were expressing their concern,” Sen. Means said, “and they did it in a very professional manner. I met with the pastors, and they expressed their concerns. I told how I felt, and they were nice. They said they will do what they have to do. They’ll probably try to get it ruled unconstitutional. I’ll do what I said I will do.”

Although he is personally opposed to the sale of alcohol, Sen. Means said he supports the right of the citizens to vote.

“I’ve had several calls saying they appreciate the right to vote,” Sen. Means said.

Sen. Means said it probably would be late in May before the bill would clear the Senate committee, come before the full Senate, move to the House Committee and then come before the full House for a vote. If it clears all those hurdles, it then would go to the governor for his signature