Commissioners Green Light Alcohol Election

TYLER — Smith County Commissioners agreed to place two alcohol propositions on the November ballot. When they met Tuesday morning, the commissioners decided to approve petitions seeking two local option elections for Justice Precinct 2. The propositions would legalize the sale of beer and wine for off-premises consumption, and extend the legal sale of mixed beverages in restaurants to areas of the precinct where such sale isn’t already legal. The city of Tyler made similar moves last week. The local governments’ action comes in the wake of a petition drive organized by the Buy Local First group. The pro-alcohol effort is opposed by a group called Stand Strong for Tyler.