Tylerite to Sue City, Smith County over Alcohol Propositions

TYLER — A resident of Justice Precinct 2 in Tyler is planning to file an injunction against the City of Tyler and Smith County on Monday. According to the resident’s lawyer, Matthew L. Thigpen, the injunction will prevent “tabulation and certification of votes for Proposition 1 and 2.” The filing is based on alleged improper election procedure by the City of Tyler and Smith County. All officials involved in the injunction have been notified. In the letter sent to KETK, it is stated the person hopes to promote “an open and transparent discussion of the petition procedure followed by officials.”

Buy Local First, a group that supports the sale of alcohol locally, has since responded to the upcoming injunction and released a statement that reads, in part:

“Once again we stand by the County Commissioners and City Council and their staffs who did their jobs as required by Texas law. The opposition has now raised this issue in three jurisdictions, City of Tyler, Smith County and Sulphur Springs and in all three their claims were resoundingly rejected. The consultants hired by these groups have yet to be disclosed and it is clear by the timing of their actions today that they are attempting to influence the outcome of Tuesday’s election. It is clear they know they are losing. So what they couldn’t win at the ballot box, they will now try to win in the Courts.

“Every citizen of Tyler and Smith County should be outraged at these frivolous actions and show their displeasure by making their voices heard on Tuesday with a resounding vote “FOR” Props 1 & 2 on both the City of Tyler AND the Smith County JP 2 ballot.”