Vote NO on Tuesday

People who move into the Bible Belt find it a little peculiar when they discover that there are places in this country that do not sell alcohol. Growing up in Central and Eastern Kentucky it was just a part of life. When Georgetown first went wet in order to attract restaurants I was in favor because I don’t have a problem with alcohol consumption, and actually enjoy a good beer or glass of wine with my meal.

However, I do not believe that allowing packaged sales is a good thing for three reasons that mostly pertain to the poor.

1. Vote NO because it’s cheaper than going into a restaurant and buying it. Now this may seem like an oxymoron, but for low income folks this could be disastrous. I see the terrible impact of the pain killer epidemic in Georgetown every week. Providing the opportunity for them to walk to their gas station and buy alcohol will only introduce a new temptation to drown their problems instead of face them. Those who hold a job, and are productive members of our community can afford the inconvenience.
2. Vote NO because it’s more convenient. Once again this may seem oxymoronic, but the fact that people now have to put gas in their car in order to go to the liquor store places a hurdle that many need to have in order to help them make the right choice between saving money for their rent or buying a 12-pack of beer. Those who hold a job, and are productive members of our community can afford the inconvenience.
3. Vote NO because it may increase the burden that we as a community already have by increasing the jobless and homeless and by increasing the need for alcohol related counseling. Sure we are a damp county already (alcohol in restaurants), and that need existed even when we were dry, but the need is likely to increase far beyond our capacity to deal with it as a community if we go Wet. This is not something even a productive member of our community can afford.

The “No” proponents warned that once Scott County went damp the “Yes” proponents wouldn’t stop with restaurants. In many cases being damp may have caused us to grow numb to the negative influence that alcohol availability can have in a community. I would encourage everyone who reads this to be content with our current alcohol policy, and be a little different than the rest of the world.

Vote No on July 31st.