Tuesday’s decision by the Newton County Board of Commissioners not to put the county alcohol-by-the-drink issue to a public vote left some residents confused.Many questioned the rational of commissioners Mort Ewing and J.C. Henderson, who voted against a Nov. 2 public referendum because they said they wanted to hold public hearings before deciding whether to vote on having a public referendum.District 2 Commissioner Earnest Simmons also voted against holding a public referendum but did not share his thoughts Tuesday night. However, in an e-mail Wednesday evening, Simmons said he also wanted