CBS 19 - The Eye of East Texas News - Support for effort to bring alcohol to Jacksonville

Support for effort to bring alcohol to Jacksonville

by Anthony Austin

JACKSONVILLE (KYTX) - It's an effort to bring alcohol to the Tomato Capitol. They're passing out petitions, looking for signatures from Jacksonville residents. CBS 19's Anthony Austin made a trip down Highway 69 to see how the community is responding to the petitions.

In just 24 hours, members of the Progress Jacksonville Committee say the response has been overwhelming. One petition circulating is allowing a vote for the legal sale of alcohol for off premise consumption only, while the other supports the sale of alcohol at state-recognized restaurants without requiring private club memberships.

The spaces are filling up on this petition. One by one, Jacksonville residents are putting their John Hancocks on the line.

"They see the sign.. they see me. they say is this for beer and wine? Oh man, they can't wait to sign it."

The Progress Jacksonville Committee needs a total of about 1,300 signatures for a May election to be held for alcohol sales.

"It's very overdue."

If the group gets the signatures, you can count on longtime resident William Brock to be the first one in line at the polls.

"I hate to see people drive from here to Cuney, or somewhere that'll get beer and maybe have an accident on the way."

But don't expect Karen Moore to vote for the proposition or sign the petition.

"We've been this way forever, why not stay that way."

George Douglas heads Progress Jacksonville.

"We think it'll be real progress for our town when we get this law passed."

The Jacksonville businessman says that recently-wet Rusk has seen a 43% increase in the monthly sales tax revenues.

So, why not Jacksonville?

"It will also increase the revenue in Jacksonville and hope in the future it may defer taxes."

"It would bring revenue in, but I rather it not be here."

Douglas understands that opposition will come. That's why he believes everyone is entitled to their opinion.

"We just urge them to come out and vote their conviction."

The petitions are required to be turned in 60 days before the May election to the Cherokee county clerk.

The petitions are available at Brookshire Brothers and Walmart in Jacksonville.