Posted 12:04 pm Thursday, November 12, 2009
Jacksonville Pro-Alcohol Group Names Members
By KELLY GOOCH
Staff Writer
Staff Writer
JACKSONVILLE -- A pro-alcohol sales citizens committee in Jacksonville has announced its members.
The committee, named Progress Jacksonville, recently formed to explore the possibility of legalizing the sale of beer and wine in the city.
Committee Chairman George Douglas said the seven-member group consists of himself; Rob Gowin, owner of Sadler's Kitchen; Roy Horton, Walmart store manager; Jon Hargett, Eli Lilly and Co. regional sales manager; Mike McEwen, owner of Cherokee Real Estate Co. Inc.; Joey Heatherton, former general manager of The Woods at Jacksonville; and Mark Johnson, director of security at Lon Morris College and former Jacksonville police chief.
"We want to stay competitive with surrounding communities. We want to have a level playing field," he has said of committee members. "Rusk recently passed this law. We see no reason why we shouldn't keep local money in the local town."
For Johnson, who also serves as treasurer of Progress Jacksonville, the decision to join the committee was purely economic.
"Why should Jacksonville people spend their money in Cuney and Frankston and everywhere else?" he said.
McEwen also cited convenience, a reduction in traffic fatalities and accidents and health as reasons to legalize alcohol sales.
With that convenience, McEwen said, will be less traffic accidents and fatalities.
Additionally, alcohol can be beneficial to a person's health when used in moderation, he said.
Mary Kennedy, cashier at Food Fast on East Larissa Street, said she is in favor of legalizing alcohol sales.
"I think it'll do us some good. I think it will boost the revenue," she said. "It isn't going to hurt us. It can only help us."
Kristy Junior, a clerk at Corner Market on North Jackson Street, said people are always asking whether they sell alcohol, and if not, where they can get it.
"I think it would be a good thing for Jacksonville. They wouldn't have to drive out of town and back," she said.
Businesses in Jacksonville can sell alcohol for on-premise consumption, provided they have a license from the state and a special-use permit that has been approved by the city council.
Before an election is called to legalize alcohol sales for off-premise consumption, there are multiple steps Progress Jacksonville would have to take, including applying for and circulating a petition.
The petition must be signed by 35 percent of the residents who voted in the last gubernatorial election, or 1,010 qualified voters.
Once petition signatures are verified, the Cherokee County Commissioners Court would have to order an election.
Douglas said the committee will likely apply for a petition next week and hope to have an alcohol election in May 2010.
Last May, voters supported an alcohol election in Rusk.
Bob Goldsberry, executive director of the Rusk Chamber of Commerce, has said beer and wine became available in August.
Based on August sales, the city brought in 20.75 percent more revenue than the same period in 2008, he said last week.
Douglas and McEwen are optimistic that a measure to legalize alcohol sales will also pass in Jacksonville.
"We're hoping we can do this in a positive way where it's not controversial or becomes a moral issue because it's not our intent," Douglas has said. "We're looking at this as a positive undertaking for Jacksonville and its citizens. Other people may not share that analysis."
Following the example of Rusk proposition supporters, Progress Jacksonville plans to hire an outside consultant to assist the group soon, Douglas said.
The group plans to have its second meeting next week.
