Wet/Dry Election Proposed for Tyler, JP Precinct 2

TYLER — Smith County could soon see another wet/dry election, and it could mean expanded alcohol sales in the city of Tyler as well as other parts of the county. Buy Local First is a special purpose political action committee, formed to support allowing limited alcohol sales Tyler and in Justice of the Peace Precinct 2. The group consists of local residents, business and community leaders and will be asking registered voters to sign petitions calling for a local option election this November. In order to call an election, state law requires the group to collect approximately 7,800 signatures of City of Tyler registered voters and 6,700 signatures of voters in JP Precinct 2. The precinct includes southwestern Tyler, Flint, and Bullard.

The group will be asking voters to sign petitions calling for an election. For starters, the election would allow “the legal sale of beer and wine for off-premise consumption only.” By state law this will only allow beer and wine sold in places like grocery and convenience stores. This law will not allow packaged liquor sales. The election would also permit “the legal sale of mixed beverages in restaurants by food and beverage certificate holders only.” This version was overwhelmingly approved by City of Tyler voters in 2008. The current effort will expand sales to those areas annexed after the 2008 election and in all of JP 2.

The group released results from a telephone public opinion survey showing overwhelming support for expanding alcohol sales. Bob Westbrook, Spokesman for the Buy Local First Committee, says, “In light of the current economy, and based on the fact there will be a higher turnout this November, we felt it was time to support the alcohol sales laws so that the citizens of Tyler and Smith County can now Buy Local First and keep our tax dollars in Smith County.” Wet/dry elections in the area have unfailingly generated opposition groups, and there’s no doubt that will happen this time.