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Alcohol Vote Sought

GROUP BACKED BY WALTONS WANT WET COUNTY

By Misty Gittings

Posted: February 14, 2012 at 5:24 a.m.

Benton County voters could have a chance in November to allow retail alcohol sales if a group backed by young members of the Walton family has its way.

AT A GLANCE

Alcohol Politics

With the repeal of nationwide prohibition in 1933, the entire state of Arkansas was wet. A 1935 state law mandated a petition had to be signed by at least 35 percent of a county’s voters to ban alcohol sales.

A 1993 bill updated the law to state that 38 percent of the electorate must sign a petition to get on the ballot for change.

Benton County is home to 124 private clubs, more than any other dry county in the state, with 58 in Rogers, 42 in Bentonville and 24 throughout the county.

Source: Staff Report

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RECORDS

Records for Northwest Arkansas for February 14, 2012. Read »

Comments

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Hooray for the Walton boys. Benton County being a dry county is a joke. The sorry fact is that all the liquor tax money is going to Missouri or Washington County. Being dry is not changing behavior and is nothing more than a hangover from the old religious intolerance prohibition days. It's time to join the 21st century in Benton County. I hope we get a MacAdoodles!!!

Posted by: arkietraveler

February 14, 2012 at 7:03 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

I too share the enthusiasm this initiative brings. The current state of wet/dry is sadly naive.

But why can't the reporter provide any information on how/where to sign the petition?

Posted by: Crinky

February 14, 2012 at 7:51 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

Crinky,
Messages left with the company and its PR firm weren't returned Monday in regard to when and where the group will be collecting signatures. I will definitely post an article or tweet about locations as information starts rolling in.
Thanks for reading. You can follow me on Twitter at NWAMisty.

Posted by: MistyGittings

February 14, 2012 at 8:24 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

Now to repel the "Blue Laws".

Posted by: Nilatir

February 14, 2012 at 8:33 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

Hopefully this initiative will be the one that works. I'm not much of a drinker, but I cringe every time I have to drive to Springdale or Pineville to get a bottle of wine or some other spirits for a recipe. I'd love the "Keep The Dollars In Benton County!"

Posted by: RogersMom

February 14, 2012 at 9:34 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

It is time to keep the tax dollars in Benton County. I agree, it is a joke, porbition did not work back then and it does not work now. It is time to get into the real world. (And by the way Nilatir, the blue laws was done away with a long time ago.)
It is time to keep the money in Benton County!

Posted by: AlvinH

February 14, 2012 at 8 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

If the "Blue Laws" are gone, why can't you buy beer/wine/liquor at either Liquor Stores or other retail outlets such as WalMart, convenience stores etc. on Sunday?

Posted by: Dellmann

February 15, 2012 at 10:05 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

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