Alcohol petitions near goal

Proponents of the legal sale of alcohol beverages within the city limits of Hartselle are   nearing their goal of getting enough signatures on petitions for a referendum in the Nov. 2 General Election.
“We already have about 900 signatures on petitions,” said Sandy Johnson, a resident who helped kick off the wet petition drive about five weeks ago.  “We’re confident we can reach 1,000 and have them ready to present to the city council between the first and 15th of September.”
While the legal requirement is only 717 bona fide signatures, Johnson said she feels a larger number is needed to offset any losses that might occur because of invalid signatures.
Johnson said petitions calling for a wet/dry referendum are located at several service stations, convenience stores and restaurants along Highway 31.
“We’ve had no problem getting signatures,” she said.
Johnson said she feels alcohol sales should be permitted because the city needs the additional revenue that will be generated.
After the signatures are presented to the city’s governing body, they will be reviewed by City Clerk-Controller Rita Lee, who is also the city’s election officer. She will check the petitions for invalid signatures, or those representing non-residents, as well as those without legitimate addresses.
If the petitions are found to be valid the council is mandated to set up a referendum in either a special election on a regularly scheduled election. One other local question – this one dealing with changing the appointed school board to an elected one – is already scheduled. If the wet/dry question is included, voters will have three separate ballots to mark in the November election.
Voters overwhelmingly rejected alcohol beverage sales in 2002. The no vote then was led by a well-organized and well-funded  “Families for a Safe Hartselle” organization, with the active support of a coalition of churches.