Another City Seeks to Add Beer and Wine to Ballot

CHANDLER — Chandler adds its name to the list of towns considering alcohol sales. John Camper with the Chandler Chamber of Commerce is part of the “Buy Chandler First” committee the chamber has put together. According to KETK, Camper says there had been no real plans to put beer and alcohol on the ballot until Smith County JP2 announced their petition drive. They realized they could be in serious trouble if it ends up passing.

“You have upwards of $25,000 to $150,000 a week in beer and wine sales in grocery stores. If it were to pass in JP2 we would lose that potential revenue gain for our local businesses,” Camper said. Camper says the petition aims to put 2 separate items on the ballot packaged beer and wine sales for convenience stores and beer, wine and mixed drink sales for restaurants.

“Neither one of these proposals is for liquor stores. So there won’t be any liquor stores in Chandler. And the way it’s set up, there can’t be a bar either,” Camper said.

Camper tells KETK there is already somewhat of a public outcry. He says Faith Baptist Church has asked them to drop them as a member of the chamber because of it.