Alcohol Issues Await Henderson Voters

HENDERSON — Residents of Henderson will have a chance to vote on two alcohol-related referendums in November. That’s according to KETK and the Longview News-Journal. A petition drive by the Henderson 1st Committee collected more than enough valid signatures to place the measures on the ballot, Rusk County Elections Administrator Kathie Wittner said Wednesday.

One initiative would allow the sale of beer and wine for off-premise consumption, which would allow grocery and convenience stores to sell beer and wine but would not permit packaged liquor sales. The second would allow for the sale of mixed beverages in restaurants by food and beverage certificate holders, which would permit restaurants to serve mixed drinks without a private club license. Wittner plans on bringing the matter before the Rusk County Commissioners Court at its Aug. 8 meeting. The court must call the election.

Claudia Morgan-Gray, one of the proponents of the proposition, said she’s excited about the response the petitions generated. “We haven’t encountered any kind of strong or organized opposition to our proposals,” Morgan-Gray said. Mayor J.W. “Buzz” Fullen said he is remaining neutral on allowing alcohol sales in the city.