A group of Hedley citizens want to legalize the sale of alcoholic beverages in that city as a way to bring more business to town.
Tonja Ruthardt, owner of Uncle Bob’s convenience store, published notice of her application for a local option petition in this week’s Enterprise and plans to circulate a petition this week calling for the legalized sale of alcoholic beverages and mixed drinks in Hedley.
The application has been signed by Ruthardt and nine other Hedley citizens.
“I know some people are against it, and I don’t mean any disrespect or want to cause any hurt feelings,” Ruthardt said, “but our town needs the money and I need the business.”
If the petition and later election are successful, Ruthardt said she wants to sell beer and possibly wine in her store to keep more business in Hedley.
“People are going to drink,” she said. “Now they are going to Estelline or Howardwick. Why not have it here?”
Hedley Mayor Dusty Wilkinson says he has mixed feelings on the issue but he looks at it from a revenue standpoint.
“We’re losing a lot of money now,” Wilkinson said. “We’re down 20 percent in our water revenue with the current drought restrictions, and it’s only going to get worse.”
The latest figures from State Comptroller Susan Combs also show Hedley is losing sales tax revenue, seeing its August allocation drop more than 15 percent and being down more than 13 percent for the calendar year-to-date.
“The city could use the money from alcohol sales,” the mayor said. “We’re trying not to raise utilities or taxes. We’ve got a big portion of people here on fixed incomes and Social Security. A small increase in utilities could mean a meal for them.”
Ruthardt says 35 percent of the people in Hedley who voted in the last governor’s election must sign the petition in order to call an election, and she believes she will have no trouble gathering the signatures.
I am sure that many have seen this coming. With the most recent events and many events of the last few years and the group of leaders there.
Just a hint for those who have relieved themselves of those worries – “Don’t look back, you may turn to a pillar of salt.”
For those bound to the sinking ship – God Bless, you are gathering jewels for your heavenly crown.
I think its crazy this hasn’t been done yet. I’ve heard several people mention doing this over the years in Clarendon but I guess they must be worried about what people might assume about them. There is nt one thing wrong with an alcoholic beverage. Ofcourse it can be become an issue if not consumed responsibly, but just like over eating or extreme religions who’s business is that but my own. If it brings in revenue what’s the problem? This should have been done years ago! It might aggrivate the DPS a little since the hwy 70 traffic stops might decrease and the # of youngsters racing out to the beer joints might slow down. And for the parents concerned about minors having easier access, come on get real!!! It won’t be any easier than it was before! I’m pretty sure ol’Fred who used to get it for us is still a pretty popular fella. So I think we should find something better to worry about, like the water crisis or Perry’s NEW passion for America. Now that my friends is scary!! :/