GENTRY -- A special election is coming Feb. 9 to determine whether to authorize the sale of alcoholic beverages for off-premises consumption on Sundays between the hours of 10 a.m. and midnight within the city.
Voters will have the opportunity to vote either for or against the measure.
The City Council, by resolution Sept. 8, voted to add the ballot initiative to the Nov. 3 ballot following a petition by Charles and Jerah Jech, including the necessary signatures, to have the initiative added to the ballot.
However, the measure was submitted too late for the Nov. 3 ballot and was moved back to December and, when that wouldn't work, scheduled for Feb. 9.
According to Mayor Kevin Johnston, City Clerk Jenny Trout verified the signatures and he also reviewed and verified them. To be placed on the ballot by initiative, the signatures of at least 15 percent of the electors within the city who voted for governor in the last general election must be obtained.
He said the council's action was only to add the item to the ballot since sufficient verified signatures had been obtained.
If voters pass the initiative next month, the measure will allow the sale of alcoholic beverages in Gentry on Sundays between the hours of 10 a.m. and 12 midnight for off-premises consumption.
Early Voting Sites included the Benton County Clerk's Office at 215 E. Central Ave., Suite 217, Bentonville, and Siloam Springs Community Bldg. at 1205 Mt. Olive Street in Siloam Springs. Early voting is from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. from Feb. 2 through Feb. 8.
On election day, voters may cast their ballots at First Baptist Church, 232 W. Main St. in Gentry.
Randy Moll may be reached by email at [email protected].