Years from now, Vicksburg residents could look back on the decision by the Vicksburg Board of Mayor and Aldermen nine days ago to continue limits on selling alcohol during overnight hours as a watershed moment in city politics.

The board was voting on Mayor Paul Winfield’s proposal to allow beer sales 24 hours a day, reversing an ordinance that bans sales from 2 to 7 a.m. Monday through Saturday and 2 to 11 a.m. on Sunday.

Sean P. Murphy is Web editor. Reach him at smurphy@vicksburgpost.com

Of the litany of problems facing the city, beer certainly isn’t the highest concern. The lasting effect will come from the alderman who went against the mayor.

Winfield pushed for the change, while South Ward Alderman Sid Beauman was solid in saying he would vote against it.

That left North Ward’s Michael Mayfield, who voted for the provision two years ago, to cast the deciding vote. With a three-person group in a racially charged city like ours, usually one is on the sidelines.

A decade ago, Sam Habeeb earned the monicker “One Vote Sam” because on most issues, he was outvoted 2-1. Sam, who is white, sat on the board with two others, who were black.

When Laurence Leyens became mayor and Beauman alderman, the balance on the board shifted, leaving Michael Mayfield as the lone black.

Mayfield had to know on many issues he would be outdone 2-1. When the beer provision came up in 2008 — far from a regressive move and more in the spirit of public safety — Beauman and Leyens were stalwart voters for the limitations. When Mayfield voted in favor of the limits, it was a sign that he held deep beliefs that the provision was for the betterment of the city.

Two years later, a new mayor pushed for a repeal, citing lost taxes.

Beauman had his say. Winfield has his say. Members of the community had their say.

Then Mayfield had his.

“I was 100 percent in favor of this ordinance when we passed it a little over a year ago — and it may break your heart, Mr. Mayor — but I’m 110 percent in favor of keeping it the way it is. I disagree that this has not served its purpose. I believe it has.”

With that one statement, Mayfield might have changed the way city politics operate. Mayfield’s vote might start a chain reaction where we don’t refer to alderman as “One Vote” but rather a board built just for the city.

The substance of the vote nine days ago might not be remembered for generations. The vote will.