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Local benefits expected with new liquor law |
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Written by Amanda Moreno
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Monday, 09 November 2009 |
It only takes one person to speak up and get something started.
The concept of the local election topic, of liquor by the drink, has been a topic for roughly 10 years. Recently, the Hotel/Motel Association went to the Sweetwater Chamber of Commerce and voiced their opinion. They voiced their concern about the business that was being lost because they didn't have the option to sell alcohol.
"The wind energy workers that were coming through weren't staying here because of the fact that they couldn't get a drink," Tom Henderson, Treasurer of the Expanded Option Committee, said. "Not only were the hotels losing business, but the city was losing revenue."
The issue was presented to the Chamber board and a committee was formed. Dr. Jarod Peek came up with the name for the committee, Tom Henderson served as Treasurer, Rene Ralston served as chairman and Jim McKenzie, were the four main forces. There were a total of about 15 members on the committee.
"We had to collect 10 signatures and turn those in before we could even start the petition," Henderson said. "Once that was done we were required to gather one-third of the number of signatures of the people that voted in the last major election."
Around 20 people were collecting signatures, so that the issue could be placed on the ballot. Henderson said that during this process, the opposition wasn't really experienced.
"I think this part of the country's way of thinking is changing when it comes to alcohol," Henderson said. "This was always an economic issue. It was never intended to be a moral issue."
The signatures needed to be obtained and the committee was able to obtain them within 35 days. The committee made the choice to select the entire county, instead of just the immediate city of Sweetwater.
"We were looking at how it could help those out at the lake and other areas, outside Sweetwater," Henderson said.
The fact that the new liquor law was voted in will open doors for bigger restaurant chains to come in. Some of the bigger chains will not even consider going into a county that is dry because of the paperwork and restrictions that are placed on them, according to Henderson.
Advertising dollars were not a major issue for the committee. They decided to do very little advertising, due to the lack of opposition they were faced with.
"The main focus was to show people the facts and give them the option to vote," Henderson said. "The most important thing was urging people to vote."
The Hotel/Motel Association was the first to raise the issue and then everyone took response. Not only will the hotels be benefiting, but the museum, coliseum and chamber will be receiving benefits.
"The wind industry and the interstate have done their share of bringing in people, but this new liquor law is one more building block," Henderson said.
In discussion with city officials, Highway 70 until the Roscoe exit, is the busiest part of the interstate between Weatherford and El Paso.
"Sweetwater has a good manufacturing business base and the traffic. This new law is just one more way to bring benefits to the community," Henderson said.
The alcohol is already available in Nolan County, but the new liquor law just utilizes the situation to the betterment of the county.
"This is just going to allow us, as a community, to benefit from the desire of those that want to have a drink. We will be benefiting from the increase of taxes that will be brought in," Henderson said.
The new opportunities and benefits are easy to see, according to Henderson, but he is not going to be naive and believe that a huge turn around is going to come from this.
"I don't see a major change, but I do see benefits taking place," Henderson said. "At the same time, I don't see a nose dive in the crime rates happening either." |
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Last Updated ( Saturday, 14 November 2009 )
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