Volunteers are expanding the number of locations where Pike County voters can sign petitions to place an initiative on the November ballot that — if approved — would allow the sale of alcohol in restaurants and retail locations.
Backers of the wet county proposal need signatures from 38% of registered voters, which is about 2,300 people. A similar proposal made it on the ballot in 2022 and lost by just six votes.
On a recent day in the county seat of Murfreesboro, Lisa Harvell, who is leading the campaign, was collecting signatures at a table outside of Chimney Rock Grocery. She said the overall response has been positive.
“We have our signage up and if they’re interested in signing, we certainly welcome that. Some people like to have a conversation about it,” Harvell said. “I think most people are already for or against it, already have their minds made up.”
One person who signed a petition for Harvell was Mike Flaherty. He told The Glenwood Herald that making Pike County wet would be beneficial.
“It’ll stop a lot of people from going out of town and spending their money in other places. Murfreesboro needs the revenue, Pike County could use it,” Flaherty said. “They’re gonna go get it anyway, so why not use it for our town.”
Harvill also collects signatures at her business, Harvill and Associates Insurance Agency. Voters in Murfreesboro can also sign petitions at Gypsy-Underground Flea Market.
In Glenwood, a table is being staffed each Saturday at the city’s Farmers Market. Tables have also been set up for short periods of time at Wright’s Food Center, while petitions can also be signed at OK Cafe and Tobacco Store.
So far, there has not been an organized campaign against the proposal. Pastor David Lamb of Bethsaida Church of Christ near Amity said that’s disappointing.
“I’m amazed at the silence from the churches and from the preachers. They ought to be standing up, saying this is bad for our county, it’s wrong,” Lamb said. “They’re afraid folks are gonna get mad at them.”
Backers of the proposal say the county is losing out on revenue which could provide economic development opportunities and provide a better business environment for restaurants. Lamb argues that Pike County is better off remaining dry, even if residents and visitors end up traveling to neighboring counties to buy alcohol.
“They talk about tax revenue from the sale of liquor. Let me tell you what that amounts to is the cost of underage, teenage drinking, car wrecks, alcoholism, everything that that brings in,” Lamb said. “None of those things are going to be enhanced by having people drinking and driving throughout our county, and partying, doing all those things that come with it. You see all the negative things that come with the legal sale of alcohol. Nobody’s talking about that.”
The Glenwood Herald 