The council of a southern Alberta town that has been dry for more than a century has voted against a motion to allow restaurants to serve alcohol.

Six out of seven councillors in Raymond, about 240 kilometres south of Calgary, voted against the motion to amend its land-use bylaw after a majority of town residents who answered a survey indicated they were opposed to the change.

B次元官网网址淭he prevailing sentiment was thereB次元官网网址檚 a unique aspect to the community that the majority of respondents felt was important (to preserve),B次元官网网址� said Kurtis Pratt, RaymondB次元官网网址檚 chief administrative officer.

B次元官网网址淎lthough it wasnB次元官网网址檛 unanimous, it was a pretty strong indication to the council and, in the end, itB次元官网网址檚 the way democracy works.B次元官网网址�

Pratt said more than half of about 890 residents who participated in the survey said they did not want restaurants to serve alcohol, no matter how much it might help the local economy.

They were also asked about B次元官网网址渃hanging the community from a predominantly dry status to more of a wet or damp status,B次元官网网址� Pratt said.

Pratt said council heard during a public meeting Tuesday night that 459 respondents wanted Raymond to remain a predominantly dry community, 238 wanted to end Prohibition altogether, 166 were in favour of a change for licensed restaurants and 22 were indifferent.

Pratt said the vote means Raymond will carry on with its ban, which began when the original properties were purchased by the townB次元官网网址檚 founder in the early 20th-century.

People can still buy booze in nearby communities to drink at home. Temporary licences can be obtained to serve alcohol at weddings and special occasions.

Pratt said approximately 2,700 out of 4,000 town residents were eligible to participate in the survey

RaymondB次元官网网址檚 ban on alcohol was part of a popular global movement in the 19th- and 20th-centuries that urged moderation or total abstinence from alcohol. It was believed drinking was responsible for many of societyB次元官网网址檚 ills.

The Canada Temperance Act of 1878 gave local governments the option to ban the sale of alcohol.

Pratt said councilB次元官网网址檚 latest vote against a change to the townB次元官网网址檚 liquor law doesnB次元官网网址檛 mean businesses canB次元官网网址檛 apply for a licence and restart a discussion.

B次元官网网址淎llowing people the opportunity to feel that theyB次元官网网址檝e been heard is an important step. Overall, itB次元官网网址檚 been a healthy process and thatB次元官网网址檚 really all you can ask for.B次元官网网址�

B次元官网网址� Fakiha Baig, The Canadian Press