Tourist Commission supports alcohol sales

With the wet/dry election less than two weeks away, one local organization has publicly announced their support for the referendum and legalized alcohol sales in McCreary County.

In a statement released by Adam Phillips, Executive Director of Tourism for McCreary County, the Commission voted to endorse and support the passing of the referendum, stating it would be a boon to local business and tourism efforts.

“Given the great importance of tourism on our local economy and the potential economic impact of legalized alcohol sales in our community, the McCreary County Tourist Commission voted by majority vote to officially endorse efforts to legalize sales in the upcoming vote on March 8th,” the statement read.

“The McCreary County Tourist Commission, as a whole, believes that legalizing alcohol sales locally will help our local business owners, will provide much needed revenue for county government and will help boost the local tourism industry.”

According to the statement, all commissioners voted in favor of the endorsement, save for Magistrate Jason Mann who abstained, and Wanda Worley, who was not present.

Members voting in favor were: Dianna Bybee, Susie Strunk-Thompson, Peg Taylor, Jessie Kidd and Nina Bradley.

The move is the first official endorsement by a quasi-government entity to publicly support the possibility of legalized alcohol sales in the county.

The wet/dry election will take place on Tuesday, March 8, with all polling places open from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.

The last county-wide vote on alcohol sales occurred in August 2012, with “dry” supporters winning the election by one percent of the total vote.

With over 5,000 votes cast in that election, “no” votes carried the day by only 47 votes, 2,532 – 2,485.