Charlotte Observer: “County commissioners in North Carolina wanted to send a message to Coke by removing its vending machines from county property after the CEO spoke out against changes to Georgia’s voting laws. But the machines didn’t belong to the Atlanta-based beverage giant.”

“The 12 Coke vending machines on Surry County property were owned and operated by Coca-Cola Consolidated, an independent bottling company headquartered in Charlotte. Commissioners voted Monday to rescind the previous vote after company representatives pointed out the error during a public forum in which several residents also voiced their objections.”

“Alison Patient, vice president of government affairs at Coca-Cola Consolidated, told board members one of its 15 facilities in North Carolina is located in Surry County. ‘I’m here tonight because the commission has made a decision that directly impacts our business and the livelihood of the 37 employees and their families that work here in Surry County,’ she said. ‘We’re respectfully asking that you reconsider your actions.’ Patient also clarified Coca-Cola Consolidated is ‘completely separate’ from The Coca-Cola Co. in Atlanta and has ‘absolutely no control over their opinions or statements about any issue’… West Caudle from Elkin said commissioners passed the vending machine ban against Coca-Cola Consolidated and ‘didn’t have a clue about what they did.’ He said he also heard commissioners talk about not wanting companies like Amazon to come to the county. ‘Quite frankly, if you sit on the Board of Commissioners for Surry County and you would refuse any company to bring economic development to our county, you are a moron,’ Caudle said.”