Reader responds to 'wet-dry' column
Dear Editor:

I would like to applaud you on your column of July 10 regarding the wet-dry issue. As someone who recently moved to Jackson from the north, I was surprised that there was an "issue" at all. Prohibition didn't work 80 years ago and it won't work now. Not only that, it will hurt cities that are trying to grow.

When my husband decided to retire, we knew we wanted to move to southwest Alabama. In doing research to choose a town to buy and move to, had we found out that Jackson was dry, we would NOT have even looked here. We are not big drinkers but do enjoy a glass of wine with a dinner out. But being wet or dry is also an indicator of the forward, or backward, thinking of the city leaders. That is even more important.

In an article in The South Alabamian regarding a city council discussion when a local restaurant wanted to expand its license, one councilman stated that since liquor has become legal here, people who never drank before are now walking around drinking. I don't think so. Having the law does not MAKE anyone start drinking.

Another person in conversation one day said she didn't like the law because it made it easier for kids to get booze. I have not read every word of this law but I'll bet it states that only people OVER 21 years of age can purchase any type of alcohol. Therefore, if youth are drinking, it means at least one adult has had to break the law first. Either by a clerk selling it to them, or more often it is by an adult giving it to them. If our youth want it, and have someone willing to break the law for them, then a county line or law won't stop it.

Jackson has been shrinking for many years. The wetdry issue is not just about alcohol. It is about brining our city, and county, into the 21st century and setting us up for growth in both population and tax revenues. There is a great potential for both at this time with the industrial build-up going on around us. The city of Jackson and Clarke County should take a close look at what new people moving to the area are going to want in a home-town. If we don't, I guarantee you someone else will and we all lose.
Judy Persons
Jackson

Reader Comments

Posted By David Newman (7/24/2008 7:16 PM EDT):

Bravo Judy, I don't live in Jackson,but I've traveled back & forth from Texas to visit family for decades.I do hope to retire there one day & consider myself a part time resident. Jackson is a diamond in the rough that has yet to be discovered. The citizens as a whole are some of the nicest people I've ever had the pleasure to meet. Unfortunately, the good ol boy network is very much in place & it's been very hard for change to take place. This will & must change in the coming years or Jackson will continue to shrink.I believe this can happen without losing it's small town charm if it is managed correctly. According to several local police officers,DUI arrests have declined since Jackson voted wet. That makes perfect sense the citizens that do indulge are not driving back from another county. Tax revenues have increased. Again,makes sense because that revenue has not been going to another county. Not to mention the new businesses that have opened in Jackson since the change & most seem to be doing well. The business that you mentioned that went to the council about expanding their license? I'm a regular when I'm in town because I like their food,the atmosphere,& I like a cold beer. My 16 yr old made the comment when we were there in June,"If this place was in Fort Worth,it would be packed every night".Out of the mouth of babes. Truth being,if it was anywhere but Jackson it would be packed every night. I believe all the new restaurants that serve, would not be in Jackson today if it were not for the change. I also believe the existing restaurants that don't serve,could triple their revenues if they did. As for the councilman that made that comment, hopefully it was a case of speaking before you think, I want to believe that. If not,I hope the voters make a change next election. That kind of thinking has no place in government. That's like saying "if you stand in a garage,you're a car". David Newman Texas

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