Tontitown OKs Sunday Liquor Measures

Saturday, November 10, 2012

Tontitown doesn’t have a Water and Sewer Commission after Tuesday’s election, but Sunday alcohol sales will be allowed.

Voters also elected two new council members.

A proposal to abolish the city’s Water and Sewer Commission was approved overwhelmingly.

In unofficial results, votes to dissolve the commission were 854 (78 percent) and against were 242 (22 percent).

Mayor Tommy Granata said he will take to the council a list of people he recommends to serve on a committee that will oversee water/sewer operations. The list could include former commissioners, he said.

He must submit the list within 30 days of the vote being certified, Granata said. The Washington County Election Commission plans to certify the election Nov. 16, said John Logan Burrow, Election Commission chairman.

The ballot also contained two proposals on the selling of alcohol. The measure, which allows selling alcohol on Sunday to be consumed in restaurants, was approved with 760 votes for (66 percent) to 399 (34 percent).

Tontitown restaurants have not traditionally been open Sunday, Granata said, but this would allow alcoholic drinks to be served if one does open.

The other issue was allowing alcohol to be sold Sundays in liquor, convenience and grocery stores. The measure passed with 677 votes for (59 percent) to 479 (41 percent).

The new rules will go into effect as soon as the election is certified.

In City Council races, Joey Pianalto narrowly defeated John Duggar for the Ward 3, Position 1 race. Pianalto had 556 votes (51 percent) to Duggar’s 553 (49 percent). Duggar said he considered asking for a recount.

“I finally decided to let it go,” Duggar said.

In the Ward 1, Position 1 race, Sunny Hinshaw received 614 votes (58 percent) to Jack Beckford’s 445 (42 percent). Hinshaw was named in Wednesday’s council meeting to fill out the rest of the term of David Bolinger who resigned.

Bobby Pianalto got 563 votes (53 percent) to Arthur Penzo’s 506 (47 percent) in a Ward 2, Position 1 race between incumbent aldermen. Pianalto filed to run against Penzo instead of the Position 2 seat he had held in the same ward.

Clint Penzo drew 621 votes (60 percent) in the Ward 2, Position 2 race to James Larson’s 420 (40 percent). In the Ward 2, Position 2 race, Mike Zulpo had 650 votes (60 percent) to Rhonda Doudna’s 428 (40 percent).

Doudna was named Wednesday to fill the remainder of the term of Kara Jo McKinley, the city recorder/treasurer who resigned. McKinley was unopposed for re-election, but it is not known if she will serve.

The current term expires at the end of the December.

Henry Piazza was unopposed for the Ward 1, Position 2 seat.