FARMINGTON -- A local committee called Growth for Farmington has mailed out flyers to Farmington residents outlining reasons to vote in favor of allowing retail businesses in Farmington to sell alcohol.
The Nov. 8 General Election ballot will include the local question whether to allow the sale of alcohol within Farmington's city limits.
Registered voters will decide "for" the manufacture or sale of intoxicating liquors or "against" the manufacture or sale of intoxicating liquors.
Early voting begins Oct. 24 at several sites in Washington County, including Washington County Courthouse and Prairie Grove City Hall, 955 E. Douglas St., Suite 4. Hours will vary by location. For more information on early voting, go to the Washington County website, co.washington.ar.us.
David Holloway, chairman of Growth for Farmington, encouraged voters to support the initiative.
"It's important for folks to vote for alcohol sales in Farmington so we can keep more local dollars in our community to help pay for things like fire and police service, parks or local roads," Holloway wrote in an email. "Right now, we're sending that money to surrounding areas. We truly believe allowing alcohol sales here will help grow our community."
The flyer states that a vote in favor of retail alcohol sales would keep more tax dollars in the community, provide more revenue for city services, such as police and first responders, and create local jobs.
Farmington Police Chief Brian Hubbard last week said he is not opposed to alcohol sales in Farmington and sees it more as an economic issue. Farmington is losing tax revenue to other cities, he said.
Hubbard said he does not believe alcohol sales in the city would pose an additional safety risk in Farmington. Officers already deal with alcohol issues along with other safety concerns in the community, he said.
"Just because we now don't have alcohol sales in the city doesn't mean it's not going to come into the city," Hubbard said. "If it's going to happen, it's going to happen."
Officers would continue to take a proactive stance by providing a police presence in the community, Hubbard said.
Nationally, Hubbard said statistics show the number of people drinking and driving is declining as more people are using taxis and Uber for transportation, instead of drinking and driving.
Patsy Pike, a Farmington City Council member, has lived in Farmington most of her life. She also supports the initiative for economic reasons.
"I don't drink but if they are buying it on each end of town, they might as well buy it here," Pike said. "I support it because of the sales tax revenues."
Bill and Mabel King of Farmington also said they support allowing retail alcohol sales in Farmington.
"I'm for it. You might as well let Walmart sell it over here when you can go up the street and get it at another Mart," said Bill King, who was at the Farmington Senior Center with his wife.
Toua Xiong, owner of Mandalay Asian Cuisine, 8 S. Brown St., in Farmington, said he would apply for a permit to sell alcohol if the measure passes.
"I think it would bring more business to the city," Xiong said.
Mayor Ernie Penn said the local initiative is like any issue.
"You let the people decide. That's the democratic process," Penn said.
To him, he said, the sale of retail alcohol is an economic development issue that would provide additional sales tax revenues from a product that is sold in the city.
General News on 10/19/2016