DUBLIN — Voters in the small, quiet, western Bladen County town of Dublin overwhelmingly approved all four referendums for the sale of malted beverages and unfortified wine after Tuesday’s municipal election.

The vote is expected to be a boon to local convenience stores and restaurants in the town, and especially to Lu Mil Vineyard.

A total of 115 voters cast ballots on the issue, and none of the four referendums passed by less than 37 votes. The results were:

— On-site malt beverages … 75 yes, 38 no

— Off-site malt beverages … 78 yes, 36 no

— On-site unfortified wine … 79 yes, 36 no

— Off-site unfortified wine … 79 yes, 36 no

The issue of county-wide beer and wine sales has been defeated a number of times in Bladen over the years, but during the past two years both the town of White Lake and now Dublin have passed the referendums.

The Dublin referendum also was rumored, though unverified, to be the reason long-time Mayor Horace Wyatt chose not to run for re-election this year — and Dublin chose a new mayor on Tuesday.

Darryl Dowless proved to be the choice after a total of 115 votes were cast. Dowless garnered 69 votes to outdistance Alex Hursey, who took 41 votes. There were also five write-in votes.

In the race for Dublin’s Town Council seat, incumbent Jeff Smith retained his seat on the board with 60 votes, just nine ahead of challenger Richard Sibbett’s 51. There were two write-in votes.

— Clarkton: Voters sent one incumbent back to the board, but dismissed another.

Jerome Myers won re-election to his seat with 73 votes, but challenger Stephen Hester knocked off Tim Tart by a 63-26 margin. Challenger Linda Gaskins fell just short with 59 votes, and Jimmy Hudson gathered just 17 votes.

W. Curt Vincent can be reached at 910-862-4163 or cvincent@bladenjournal.com.

W. Curt Vincent

Bladen Journal