Mayodan church's liquor protest can continue

MAYODAN — A church that was being investigated by the N.C. Board of Elections has filed finance reports with Rockingham County and may continue its efforts to oppose liquor by the drink.

The investigation centered on whether the church had complied with N.C. campaign finance laws while continuing political activities.

Paul Sisk, pastor of West Side Baptist Church, completed financial expenditure paperwork as required of referendum committees Monday, according to county officials. Sisk and other church members oppose a referendum on liquor by the drink. The issue will appear on Tuesday’s ballot.

A committee formed in February to support the liquor law said passing the issue would attract restaurants and hotels.

West Side Baptist opposes the measure, and messages were posted on a sign in front on the Ayersville Road church urging people to vote no. Fliers bearing the name of the church and its pastor were reported to the Rockingham County Board of Elections, which sent a letter to Sisk informing him of state campaign finance laws.

General Statute 163-278-7 defines a referendum committee as a group of two or more people who have the major purpose of supporting or opposing a referendum appearing on an election ballot. To ensure the group is not being funded illegally, committees are required to regularly report the source of the money used by the committee and how the money is spent.

An attorney for the church contacted the county BOE, saying the group’s primary purpose was not to oppose a political issue, but rather to spread Christianity. The state board recommended the church not be forced to register as a referendum committee.

Tina Cardwell, deputy director of the Rockingham County BOE, said the group is reporting its finances as the state law requires, and the church may continue its public opposition to liquor by the drink.

“They can because they’re filing independent expenditure reports,” Cardwell said. “But they’re still expected to abide by the same election laws as a referendum committee.”

David Gibbs, a Florida-based Christian rights attorney and representative for West Side Baptist, said the church is viewing it as a victory.

“The state completely agreed with the church that they are not required to file as a referendum committee because it violated their free speech,” Gibbs said.

Sisk could not be reached for comment Tuesday.

• Staff writer Heather J. Smith can be reached at hsmith@reidsvillereview.com or 623-2155, ext. 15.