Liquor issue gets signatures to make ballot
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As of yesterday afternoon, 283 verified signatures of registered city voters had been turned into the Election Commission, deputy David Pendergraph reported. This exceeds the 215 signatures required to put the issue on the ballot.
“We’re very excited so many people have voiced their opinion for a better future for McMinnville and Warren County,” said referendum supporter Sherrie Starkey.
The referendum will ask city voters to approve the legal sale of alcoholic beverages for consumption on the premises inside the city limits by permit only. It would not allow package liquor stores. The measure failed by only 10 votes two years ago – the closest legalized liquor has ever come in McMinnville.
Starkey said she was surprised at how quickly she and other supporters were able to gather the 215 signatures. “It’s very encouraging. We got started late, but the people have been able to voice their opinion and they have spoken with a strong voice,” Starkey said.
Still, she admitted, getting 215 signatures for a petition is much easier than getting several thousand “yes” votes at the polls.
Fellow supporter Charlie Moss concurred. “We’ve won the skirmish by getting (the referendum) on the ballot, but now we have to worry about the battle,” he said. “We’re geared up for the November election and feel confident about our chances.”
The two said they have received moral support from a large segment of the community as well as pledges of monetary and other forms of support to assist their efforts in the two months leading up to the election from many individuals.
Though the minimum number of signatures to put the referendum on the ballot has been met, Starkey noted many petitions are still circulating throughout the community and she encouraged everyone who has not yet signed one to do so before Friday’s deadline, thus allowing everyone to voice their support for the measure.