Wet Or Dry?

FARMINGTON TO VOTE ON ALCOHOL QUESTION

FARMINGTON — Registered voters in Farmington will decide in November whether to allow the sale of alcohol within the city limits.

Becky Lewallen, Washington County clerk, said the committee Growth for Farmington submitted 697 pages of signatures from registered voters calling for a wet/dry measure to be placed on the Nov. 8 ballot.

The county clerk’s office verified signatures and determined the petitions had 1,593 qualified signatures, the number required to place the issue on the ballot, Lewallen said.

By state law, the local option committee was required to have signatures from 38 percent of registered voters as of June 1. Lewallen said Farmington had 4,165 registered voters on June 1.

She notified the Washington County Election Commission on July 29 that the question was certified to be on the election ballot.

Voters will decide “for” the manufacture or sale of intoxicating liquors or “against” the manufacture or sale of intoxicating liquors.

Growth for Farmington began circulating petitions and canvassing for signatures in February with the assistance of an organization called Blueprint Action. The firm specializes in petition drives and makes sure all regulations and laws are followed.

David Holloway, chairman of Growth for Farmington, last week

said the committee was thrilled the wet/dry question will be on the ballot.

“We’re pleased that the people of Farmington will have an opportunity to vote on it and let their voice be known,” Holloway said, noting it has been years since the last alcohol election.

Farmington last had an election on the sale of alcohol on Nov. 2, 2004. Out of 2,228 registered voters at the time, 1,626 cast ballots, with 858 (53 percent) voting against the sale of alcohol and 762 (47 percent) voting in favor of the sale of alcohol.

Holloway said the committee turned in more than 3,000 signatures to the county clerk’s office for verification.

In a statement issued last week, Holloway said, “It’s time local voters had the opportunity to weigh in on this issue, and we are grateful this will be on the ballot in November. Allowing retail alcohol sales will be an economic boost for our community.”

Farmington Mayor Ernie Penn said a vote will let the people decide.

“When you have people who are interested in seeing a city have a product, the perfect thing to do is to use the democratic process and have a vote,” Penn said.

Penn said he believes having the ability to sell alcohol is an economic development issue, bringing the opportunity to attract new businesses and customers. He also said he does not believe the sale of alco- hol would increase crime in Farmington.

“The people buying it are already buying it at both ends of our borders,” he noted.

The city of Farmington already has a 5-cent sales tax on alcohol sales. Currently, this only applies to Gabriella’s Mexican Restaurant, which has a private club license, and to the Valley View Golf Course, which already sold alcohol before it was annexed into the city.

If the measure passes, the city would be able to collect the alcohol tax on any alcohol sales at restaurants or stores licensed to sell alcohol, Penn said.

Tracy Nelson, president of Farmington Area Chamber of Commerce, said the board’s position is to remain neutral on the initiative.

“We feel the final decision should be left up to the voters of the city,” Nelson said in a statement issued by email.

Tommy Cornwell, a Chamber board member, also said, “I’m glad it’s come to a vote and I support that 100 percent.” He encouraged voters to go to the polls and “express their opinion.”

Holloway said the committee will meet next to discuss plans for going forward.

“Now that the measure is on the ballot, our committee will spend the next few months getting the word out to voters about the importance of keeping revenue from alcohol sales here in our community. It truly is a way to promote Growth for Farmington,” Holloway stated by email.

Holloway