Canton group sends alcohol petitions for verification
Herald Staff Photo
Six members of the Canton Economic Growth Committee are pictured turning in two petitions. From left to right, Sally Zoubi, Shelly McKeehan, John McKeehan, Christie Powell, Steve Dye and Stacy Crossley.
The Canton Economic Growth Committee said they have turned in more than 300 signatures of city of Canton registered voters on two petitions calling for an alcohol sales election in November.
Six members of the local committee turned in the two petitions last week to City Secretary Debra Johnson. State law required the group to submit 244 signatures of qualified voters in order to call the election.
According to information from the committee, with nearly 500 people signing the petitions, the group’s verification shows that as many as 300 are city of Canton voters. The city secretary's office has 30 days to verify the signatures. If enough are found, the petition will be presented tto council to call for the November vote.
“We had so many people from Van Zandt County signing the petitions and supporting our grocery stores and restaurants,” said Christie Powell, group member. “Nearly 500 people signed the petition, but only those who live in the city limits and are registered to vote count toward the number needed to call the election. With 20 percent more than required by law, we have a great deal of support this time.”
One petition will allow a vote for the legal sale of beer and wine for off-premise consumption only. This will only allow beer and wine sales in businesses such as grocery and convenience stores but will not allow package liquor sales or liquor stores.
The second petition states “for the legal sale of mixed beverages in restaurants by food and beverage certificate holders only.” This will only allow state recognized restaurants to serve alcohol without requiring the “private club” memberships.
This will not allow stand alone bars or nightclubs, the CEGC said.
“Grocery stores report for every $1 dollar lost in beer/wine sales, they lose an additional $3 in general sales,” said John McKeehan, a Canton resident and proponent of the issue. “Studies based on the area’s population show Canton is losing nearly $300,000 a year in local sales tax. This does not include the people who visit during First Monday, so our sales tax losses could be even higher.”
“It costs our restaurants like Jalapeno Tree or Applebee’s as much as $20,000 per year to be a private club,” said Steve Dye, general manager and partner of Mill Creek Ranch Resort. “It’s time to allow Canton and Van Zandt County residents the choice of being able to shop at home and cut costs for our local restaurants.
“What’s crazy is that people come to Canton from all over Texas for First Monday. And they come here with food, supplies and beer and wine in their campers and coolers. Being ‘dry’ means that so many people who come to First Monday’s have first stopped in Tyler, Terrell or someplace else, bought beer and wine, and all their other items, and we lost all that tax revenue. Being ‘dry’ means we lose more than just beer and wine sales.”
Group member Sally Zaubi added, “And it’s not just First Monday and people from out of town, but local citizens, too. I know several people who drive to Tyler or Kaufman to the Brookshire’s to buy beer and wine, and while they are there, they buy groceries and other goods, fill up the car with gas and we lose those tax revenues, too.”
