There is one thing we at The Covington News think everyone can agree on: We all want to live in a friendly community that offers opportunities for growth to everyone. No matter what side you’re on, that seems agreeable enough.

That being said, there are some things in our community that seem to divide us. The most recent being the issue taking center stage Monday night at the Covington City Council meeting – the proposed alcohol ordinances that could allow for hospitality drinks and/or brown bagging drinks in city businesses.

Whether you are on the “for” or “against” team on these issues, it seems that everyone has an opinion. While it is always to voice our opinions, let us not let them get in the way of the most important issue, our community.

Martin Luther King Jr. was quoted saying “We may have all come on different ships, but we’re in the same boat now.” Let’s consider the figurative boat to be the entire City of Covington. Whether we agree with the decisions made about the community, it is our community and it is up to us to keep it from sinking.

Local business owners and community members have made petitions asking for support on their respective opinion of the proposed ordinances. In the United States, the right to petition is guaranteed by the First Amendment to the United States Constitution. That Amendment is the same one that allows this newspaper to stay in business.

If you agree with what the petition is saying, you are encouraged to sign it to show your agreement. If you disagree, you are free to let it go without your autograph. It is as simple as that.

However, it seems in our beloved community it has not been that simple. Business owners who have displayed the pro-alcohol ordinances petitions have made claims of harassment from opposing community members.

That is ludicrous.

We at The News do not feel the need to publically take a side in this debate. We do, however, feel the need to take a stance against harassment. It’s just not right.

If you disagree with what is being done, tell the people who can make a change. Do not threaten or wish harm upon your fellow community members or business owners. If you disagree with what the petition says, make your own petition and gather your own signatures.

This decision is going to be left up to the Covington City Council, a governmental body that was elected by the people, for the people. You, as the people, have a right to have your opinions heard. Express your opinions to the ones in charge and trust them to do what you elected them to do.

While we have encouraged public discussion in the past, and we will continue to encourage it in the future, this is not the route our community needs to take.

Be nice to people. Be nice to your community.