Petitioners have until Sept. 23 meeting to request vote for November election

Another special election to decide whether Hartselle should legalize the sale of alcoholic beverages could be held as early as Nov. 4. 

Petitions calling for such an election have been in circulation for several weeks. One such petition at the Family Lanes & Amusements had 31 signatures as of Sept. 10.

“I received a call from a man who wanted to know how many signatures were needed to get the wet-dry issue back on a ballot some time ago,” said City Clerk/Controller Rita Lee. “I told him the petition would have to have the signatures of 916 city voters to meet state law and be in the hands of council members no later than their Sept. 23 regular meeting to make the November election.”

She said the council is required to accept such a petition pursuant to the verification of its signatures and call an election.

“It would be a close call,” she pointed out, “Verification is a time-consuming process as well as having the ballot printed and setting up a separate election.”

She said $20,000 was set aside for a potential special election in the 2014-2015 budget.

Lee Y. Greene Jr., a local businessman, verified that Hartselle Citizens for Economic Development is actively soliciting signatures for the petition.

“I look out from my office and see closed storefronts all around,” he said, “and I question how are we going to generate the tax revenue we need to provide our citizens with the city services they need and want? Then I drive through Cullman and I see new businesses going up in every direction. Their decision to legalize alcohol sales is paying dividends.”

Jeff Johnson, a spokesman for Families for a Safe Hartselle, believes this is not a good time to have another wet-dry election.

“The election would cost the city between $15,000 and $20,000,” Johnson said. “This comes at a time when city officials have to consider layoffs to meet budget constraints. Why not use that money to pay the salary of a part-time employee or pay half the salary of a full-time employee?

“We’re prepared to run a full-fledged campaign if that becomes necessary,” he pointed out, “but we’d prefer to use the time, energy and money to work together with all citizens to help our community move forward.”

Hartselle maintained its status as the state’s largest city to prohibit the legal sale of alcoholic beverages in November 2012, with “no” votes winning 3,478-3,066.

Greene said anyone who wants to sign a petition for support of the referendum can find petitions at Family Lanes & Amusements, Hartselle Exxon, Weaver’s Texaco, Happy Heart Market and Lee Y. Greene & Associates, Inc.