NC-based Coca-Cola bottling company pushes back against NC county’s vending machine removal
SURRY COUNTY, N.C. (WGHP) – The removal of Coca-Cola vending machines in Surry County was at the top of the list in Monday’s public meeting.
In May, Surry County commissioners voted 3-2 to do away with Coca-Cola vending machines in county government buildings.
The voting came after CEO James Quincey commented about Georgia’s voting laws in early April.
Before the meeting, Commissioner Eddie Harris said big corporations have no say in politics.
“I just really don’t understand why they chose to get involved in politics, they can do that through federal election laws, through political action committees and contribute to candidates of their choice, but I really think they ought to stay out of politics,” said Harris.
During the public meeting, representatives from Coca-Cola Consolidated spoke, asking the commissioner panel to put the vending machines back. Coca-Cola Consolidated is a Charlotte-based independent bottler.
“We’ve been good stewards to the community and good partners to y’all and, so we would ask that y’all reconsider ya vote,” said Acie Campbell, Vice President, Market Unit & General Manager at Coca-Cola Consolidated.
