Henderson Alcohol Election Set

HENDERSON — Henderson voters will get to vote on two proposals to legalize alcohol sales in the city. The Rusk County Commissioners Court on Monday ordered the issue be put to voters on the November ballot. County Judge Joel Hale and Elections Administrator Kathie Wittner emphasized that county officials were neither supporting nor opposing the propositions. After having been presented with valid petitions requesting the propositions be placed on a ballot, the court was legally required to call the election. The petitions required at least 997 valid signatures. Wittner has verified each petition had more than 1,100 valid signatures. “State law doesn’t really give the court any options on this issue,” Wittner said. “Just because the commissioners order the election, that doesn’t mean they’re in favor of the propositions.”

According to KETK and the Longview News-Journal, the election is set for Nov. 8. The first proposal would legalize the sale of beer and wine for off-premise consumption. The second would allow for the sale of mixed beverages in restaurants by food and beverage certificate holders. Henderson resident Lanette Weaver spoke against the propositions during the public comments section of the meeting. “I’m very opposed to it,” she said. “I’ve already lost two family members due to drunk driving, and I don’t want to lose any more. This proposal will just lead to honky-tonks all around Henderson.” Weaver said she plans to form a political action committee to oppose the propositions.

Weldon Gray, treasurer of the pro-wet Henderson 1st Committee, said his group has encountered mostly positive reactions to the proposals. Gray says the purpose of the proposals is to attract more businesses to Henderson, particularly chain restaurants that want to serve mixed drinks without having to apply for private club status.