Petitions Turned in for Alcohol Vote in JP 5

TYLER — The Committee for Economic Growth Friday turned in signed petitions calling for a local option election this November to allow limited alcohol sales. In order to call an election, state law required the group to collect approximately 2,574 signatures of registered voters in Justice Precinct 5, which includes northwestern Smith County and the cities of Hideaway and Lindale. The petitions were circulated beginning June 12. Smith County Elections officials now have 30 days to verify the signatures. If enough signatures are gathered calling for the election, the Smith County Commissioners Court must order the election for November 2014.

The group asked voters to sign petitions calling for an election to 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 legal sale of mixed beverages in restaurants by food and beverage certificate holders only.” By state law, stand alone bars, nightclubs or topless clubs cannot open under this law.

KETK reports an opposition group has formed focusing on the city of Lindale.