WHITLEY CITY —
As the referendum to determine whether McCreary County will legalize alcohol sales draws nigh, both supporters and opponents have been gearing up their campaigns — speaking before a neutral McCreary County Chamber of Commerce last Wednesday and holding their own rallies on Saturday.
Stay Dry
Citizens for a Secure McCreary County held its rally at the McCreary County Park on Saturday morning. Following an opening performance from a children’s choir, committee chairman Michael Casada emphasized the importance of getting to the polls on Tuesday, August 28.
“This election is as important as the presidential election in November because I live here,” Casada said. “We have a good county but we cannot afford another burden. I challenge anyone to find how the sale of alcohol would benefit the county.”
Vice chairman Mark Sewell said that voting no is important to preserving the county’s heritage and protecting its children. That outweighs any potential economic benefit.
“I hope it stays dry until the Lord comes,” Sewell said. “I believe it’s going to go dry but no matter what the vote, we’ll show the same grace the Lord has shown to us.”
Former county judge-executive Jimmie Greene echoed Casada’s belief that the promotion of alcohol breeds alcoholism. A recovering alcoholic of 24 years, Greene said that he’s “just one drink away” from sliding into temptation.
Darren Kidd, pastor of Walker’s Chapel, addressed the opposing side’s view that religion should be kept out of the debate.
“It’s a religious thing to God’s people,” Kidd said. “We need to put God back into everything.”
Go Wet
Those supporting alcohol sales convened on the courthouse lawn Saturday.
Charlie Strunk said that liquor taxes could help pay for more deputies and replace ambulances.
“The opposition says we have to protect our children,” Scottie Morrow said. “If you think this county is safe, you’ve got another thing coming.”
Morrow noted that of the 226 lDUI citations issued locally in the last 18 months, more than half involved drugs. He added that National Highway statistics indicate that wet counties have fewer alcohol-related traffic deaths.
Steve Clark said he believes that alcohol sales could increase tourism and even encourage residents to buy locally.
“My hope is to cut out as many bootleggers as possible,” Pat Cash said. “If one life can be saved, that’s enough for me.”
Tammy Colbaugh moderates a Facebook page “McCreary County Going Wet: True Facts” along with Christy Baird.
Baird told the Record that while she blames alcohol for many heartaches, those heartaches happened while the county was dry. Increasing safety resources is her primary goal.
“I love my son much more than I could ever despise alcohol,” she said. “His safety is the most important thing in this world to me.”
Local News
Related Photos
-
Supporters of legalized alcohol sales rallied at the McCreary County Courthouse Saturday afternoon. Janie Slaven
-
Vonda Courtney and Curtis Garland, siblings who have attended Hilltop Baptist Church for more than 15 years, carried signs during the Dry Rally held Saturday morning at the McCreary County Park. Janie Slaven
Wet-Dry Election entering final week
Both sides rally
- Local News
-
-
County budget approval set for Wednesday
WHITLEY CITY — As this fiscal year winds down, McCreary County Fiscal Court plans to meet in special session tomorrow (Wednesday) at 3 p.m. in order to hear the second reading of the 2013-2014 county budget — set to go into effect July 1.
-
Extreme Build
REVELO — The 8th annual Extreme Build came to a close Saturday with the dedication of Malachi and Shawna Barnett’s new home.
Extreme Build — a partnership between McCreary County Community Housing -
Community rallies around young athlete injured in accident
LEXINGTON — A McCreary County athlete is recovering at the University of Kentucky Medical Center following an accident which nearly took his arm.
Dillon Vanover, 13, was playing at a friend’s house near Hen’s Nest Thursday afternoon -
Extreme Build
REVELO — Volunteers with the Kentucky Baptist Fellowship have returned to McCreary County this week to build the eighth home for the Extreme Build initiative.
The event officially got underway Thursday with the installation of a prefabricated -
CAPTURED
SOMERSET — A McCreary County man was arrested Friday night after allegedly leading Somerset Police in a pursuit that ended in him crashing a reportedly stolen car — and numerous criminal charges.
-
Sheriff’s Department finds indoor marijuana operation
STEARNS — Officers with the McCreary County Sheriff’s Department walked away anything but empty-handed Friday after an attempt to serve an arrest warrant led them to an elaborate indoor marijuana growing operation.
-
Taylor named McCreary Middle School Principal
STEARNS — McCreary County Middle School has a new leader but students will see he has a familiar face when school starts in August.
The school’s site based decision making council recently selected Clint Taylor as -
Dozen indicted by grand jury
WHITLEY CITY — The McCreary County Grand Jury returned indictments against 12 individuals last month — including several drug-related cases.
Brassfield Coffey Jr., 48, of Stearns, and Robin Robinson, 43, (no address given) have -
Car Thief Sought
WHITLEY CITY — The McCreary County Sheriff’s Office is reaching out to the public for help in apprehending a local man suspected in a string of auto thefts spanning several counties in Kentucky and Tennessee.
-
Local Beauty competing for Miss USA 2013 crown
STEARNS — One might expect the life of a Miss USA contender to be something of otherworldly glamorous, far beyond what most folks consider everyday life.
Yet the scene Tuesday at the Stearns Depot was anything but. Friends and family of Miss - More Local News Headlines
-
County budget approval set for Wednesday
Ex-Hit Man's Past Is a Shock to Some Neighbors
Fans: Gandofini 'Put New Jersey on the Map'
Does Future of Human Race Depend on Kansas Mine?
Reining in 'Bad News' Sports Parents
James Gandolfini Dies at Age 51
Fmr. TWA Flight 800 Investigators Want New Probe
Raw: Heat, Spurs Back on Court Ahead of Game 7
Dolce and Gabbana Convicted of Tax Evasion
Paris, Prince Depositions Used in Jackson Trial
Coiffed Cattle Get Their Close-up
In Berlin, Obama Channels Cold War Activism
Police at Patriots Tight End's Home for 2nd Day
Fed Suggests Bond Purchases Could Slow
AP: DOJ Broke Own Rules Seizing Phone Records
Raw: Baby White Rhino Debuts at Australian Zoo
Time Lapse: Rebuilding Bridge Post-collapse
Ohio Woman Accuses 3 of Holding Her Captive
Hunt for Ex-Teamster Boss Hoffa's Remains Ends
