B’ville votes ‘no’

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February 13, 2012

B’ville votes ‘no’

Expanded alcohol sales under debate in London and Corbin

By Carrie Dillard Managing Editor The Sentinel-Echo Mon Feb 13, 2012, 10:38 AM EST

LAUREL COUNTY, Ky. — Citizens of Barbourville voted “no” to expanded alcohol sales Tuesday. With 55 percent voting no and 45 percent voting yes, it was determined that the city will not go wet.

Registered voters in Barbourville’s six eligible precincts cast their ballots in the local option election at the National Guard Armory. The final voter tallies were 591 against and 484 in favor.

Voters in Corbin and London will soon have their say about expanded alcohol sales in their cities on Feb. 14 and March 6, respectively.

In both Corbin and London, residents can now buy alcoholic beverages by the drink in restaurants seating 100 people or more within the city limits, which classifies both cities as “moist.” If the vote passes in either city, initiating a change from moist to fully wet, businesses would be allowed to sell package liquor, pending a liquor license. It is expected the city of London could offer at least three liquor licenses, based on its population. Licenses for beer sales, restaurants meeting seating and food sale requirements, and temporary licenses would not be limited by a quota.

The debate in Laurel County seems to swing from the moral consequences of allowing alcohol sales to the financial gain to be had by the city through licensing fees.

Citizens United Against Alcohol, a group formed in January after the issue of the packaged alcohol sales surfaced as a petition for a special election, are actively recruiting volunteers and raising funds for a mass mail campaign against liquor sales in the city.

“Alcohol use and abuse never leads to anything good,” said Randy Bingham, chairman of the group, as he addressed a crowd at London’s First Pentecostal Church on Feb. 2.

Proponents of expanded sales, including Bryan McCarty — who along with two attorneys Hunter Payne and Bill Meador — sponsored the petition for a wet/dry vote in London, said that allowing packaged liquor sales would keep tax dollars in the community that are now being spent in other places such as Richmond, Lexington and, most recently, in Manchester.

Only registered voters within the city of London will be allowed to vote in the upcoming option election.

For voters in the 10 city precincts, the question on the March 6 ballot will read: “Are you in favor of the sale of alcoholic beverages in London, Kentucky?” Voters can respond by either voting “yes” or “no.”

Voters will cast their ballots at their designated precinct.

The City of Williamsburg, now dry, will decide whether or not to allow the sale of alcoholic drinks “by the glass” in qualifying restaurants on March 20.

editor@sentinel-echo.com

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