Voters okay alcohol sales

The people of Donley County changed history Tuesday night November 5, legalizing alcohol sales, including mixed drinks, countywide in a 597-501 vote.

Election Day votes had the measure ahead, 227-183. But more than 700 people cast early votes countywide, and those ballots kept people waiting until after 10 p.m. when the word finally came from election judges. The margin spread when the early vote tally was in favor of alcohol sales, 370-318.

A total of 1,098 votes – a turnout of 46.5 percent – were cast in the election, and the local option passed by about 54.4 percent.

Every voting box on Election Day was in favor of the option with the exception of Precinct 101, voting at the Bairfield Activity Center. In that location, 19 people were against the measure compared to 10 in favor of it.

The election reverses 111 years of history in Donley County. While the City of Howardwick has been “wet” for about four decades, the rest of Donley County has been “dry” since 1902.

Proponents of legalizing alcohol sales had said they foresaw increased business opportunities, increased tax revenues, and increased opportunities for sponsorships of local events.

Opponents argued that greater availability of alcohol, particularly the prospect of bars, will lead to higher crime rates and consumption by minors. Some opponents also raised religious issues regarding alcohol.

The Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission website says state law permits cities and counties to pass a local ordinance prohibiting the sale of alcoholic beverages within 300 feet of a public or private school, church and/or public hospital. The distance from a school can be increased to 1,000 feet under certain circumstances. Cities and counties can also adopt ordinances requiring a 300-foot distance between certain types of permits and day-care centers or child-care facilities.

Cities and counties are not required to have these ordinances and are free to grant variances as they see fit.

Donley County Commissioners will canvass the election on November 15, and the county will then certify the results to the state. According to the TABC website, it takes 45 to 60 days to obtain a permit to sell alcoholic beverages depending on several circumstances.

Also on the county ballot were nine proposed amendments to the Texas Constitution. Local voters voted in favor of all nine propositions, and statewide results at press time showed those measures passing.