Both Statesboro and Bulloch County said goodbye Tuesday night to blue laws as referendums for Sunday alcohol sales passed. For Statesboro voters, the Sunday sales referendum passed with flying colors for both package and restaurant sales. The vote for package sales in Statesboro was 772 to 558, while votes for restaurant sales were 749 to 548.

Bulloch County voters passed the Sunday package sales with a much closer vote; 2,634 to 2,229 – 54 to 46 percent.

Restaurant Sunday sales was not an issue with Bulloch voters as there are no restaurants in the rural county that sell alcohol.

Voters in the cities of Portal and Brooklet did not approve Sunday package or restaurant sales, but the votes were close. Portal residents denied package sales on Sunday with 59 voting yes, and 53 voting no – 53 to 47 percent.

Brooklet residents voted 150 to 143 against Sunday sales – a 51 to 49 percent vote.

Brian Kelly, owner of Kbob Kelly’s pub, said he is “ecstatic” over the vote.

“I think it’s going to mean the difference between being in the red and in the black - profitable for most folks,” he said. “I don’t foresee any problems. I think it will prevent drunk driving from people coming from Savannah and other counties that serve on Sundays.”

Bulloch County Commissioner Roy Thompson said he felt like “the citizens needed to make a choice” regarding alcohol sales on Sunday.

Only 15.5 percent of Bulloch County’s registered voters turned out for the polls Tuesday.

Holli Deal Bragg may be reached at (912) 489-9414.