Two sides to everything: Planned wet-dry referendum draws support, opposition

CHIPLEY – The wet-dry referendum backed by a Washington County organization is already drawing both support and opposition. The Washington County Citizens for Economic Opportunity registered as a political committee under Florida law on July 1 to continue the referendum process.

“This allows us to raise and spend funds towards revising Washington County's liquor laws,” said Chairperson Sheran Whitaker.

The organization plans to use the Internet and mailings to ask for signatures for the petition. “We will not be going door-to-door,” said Secretary Karen Schoen.

“We intend to conduct our petition drive through the mail and make petitions available on our Web site at www.wcceo.org.  Most residents who have a recent history of voting will be mailed a petition once our drive begins.”

Schoen said the number of signatures needed would amount to 25 percent of registered voters.

“There are currently slightly more than 16,000 registered voters in Washington County, so we'll need slightly more than 4,000 valid petitions,” Schoen said.

“The actual number we need won't be determined until we begin the petition drive because we'll need to collect an amount equal to 25 percent of the registered voters on the books on that given day.

“The Supervisor of Elections will advise us of the figure when we file our petition drive with her office. That may take place as soon as late August or early September.”

Organizers claim that food and beverage distributors have contacted them about the planned referendum. “Representatives of a major restaurant chain, a national hotel franchise and several restaurant operators in Bay County are interested in coming to Washington County once it goes wet,” Whitaker said.

“Due to their company policies, we're not at liberty to make the names public,” Schoen said. “We can say that they fall into the family-type, popular chains that we see in other counties but not here. Once Washington County is wet, we'll be a good fit for these types of restaurants.”

Kickoff event planned
Washington County Citizens for Economic Opportunity will soon kick off their drive. Supporters are urged to attend the WCCEO kick off to be held at the Ebro Dog Track, State 79, and 6558 Dog Track Road in Ebro July 16 at 5 p.m.

Local restaurants support change

“It would make my business much, much better if Washington County would become a wet county,” said Rick Marco, owner of Skins and Bubba’s.

“We’ve gotten quite a few requests for beer on a regular basis. In fact, a lot of requests come from hotels whose visitors make to-go orders here.

“I think that the county is loosing revenue, because the next time those visitors come back through this way, they’re going to stay in the next county over because a lot of people like to have beer with their dinner, relax and enjoy themselves. I think it would greatly benefit Washington County if we were to go wet.”

“It would be an improvement for everyone if we were a wet county,” said Emily Valdovinos, manager of Cancun’s Mexican Grill. Cancun’s sells beer.

“People are always asking for liquors, like margaritas and tequila and people are having to go to Panama City if they want to get a drink and we’re loosing business as a county because of this.

“Unless people just want Chipley to remain small and not grow, I can’t understand why they wouldn’t want to go wet.”

Cancun’s and Pizza Hut meet requirements for having approval for beer sales by nearby residents and being a certain distance from churches and schools.

Opposition to changing existing laws

Current law allows for sale of beer and wine in stores in Washington County. There are a few outlets that can sell beer on Sunday.

The Rev. Alcus Brock of the West Florida Baptist Association expressed his moral opposition to expanding liquor sales, but also couched his opposition in practical terms

"How many times have you read or heard about a fatal accident when the last comments were, "We believe it was alcohol related?"Granted this is not always true, but many, many times it is,” Brock wrote in an editorial running in this week’s paper.

“I also saw what was broadcast as "breaking news,” telling about a drug bust. They reported how many pounds of marijuana or other types of drugs were recovered.

“Both drugs and alcohol are mind-altering substances. It is just as easy to overdose on alcohol as it is on any of the other substances mentioned. Lets call it what it is - a drug.  This is why we need to get them removed from the streets.

“It is my belief that we need to take a long hard look at whether we should bring alcohol into this county and not just from the standpoint of business. It needs to be looked at from the standpoint of the loss of life and the destruction of property, as well as, the added expense of policing the area and the effect it will ultimately have on many homes.

“If a person is able to walk around the corner to gamble or buy alcohol, they are certainly more likely to do so than if they have to travel a distance to get it.”

The Rev. Tim Hall, former pastor of Blue Springs Baptist Church in Washington County and a regular columnist for this paper, also strongly opposes expanding the law.

“The amazing thing about Satan and those who set out to get personal gain by deployment of his vices is they don’t quit,” Hall wrote last week.

"It seems that there is a group claiming that they are interested in the economic development of Washington County, and they are claiming the way to solve the problem is to legalize another drug to be legally sold so that we will have more drunk drivers on the road, possibly killing innocent people.

“What would be great in my opinion would be for another coalition to be formed that is interested in the future of the families in this great county, a coalition that would get on the ballot a vote that would allow the citizens of Washington County to lead this county forward and be the leader in returning our cities and counties to a place that we could all be proud of. A county where no alcohol beverages of any form or fashion could be sold in this county or any other county would be nice.”

Both Brock and Hall’s columns are also available online under Editorials at chipleypaper.com.

The Washington County Chamber of Commerce does not take a stance on the issue. Spokesperson Chris MacBlain said Thursday that the Chamber urges everyone to examine the issue and vote as they see fit.