The McCracken County Fiscal Court moved ahead with a motion to prohibit liquor sales on Election Day in the county. The state previously did not allow alcohol sales but decided that local municipalities should govern the issue.
McCracken County Commissioner Jerry Beyer said no one opposing such an ordinance was present at the workshop or the first reading, but there were several proponents.
Show Me’s owner Susan Engdahl said such an ordinance is a disadvantage for county businesses because the city will allow alcohol sales.
“The law itself is archaic,” Engdahl said. “It was instituted 100 years ago due to the exchange of whiskey for votes and most polling, voting venues were located in bars and saloons. When people find out that they can’t come and enjoy a drink they may go somewhere else. In this particular case, if the county votes against us being able to serve liquor on Election Day, my customers are going to go a mile down the road where they can get a drink.”
McCracken County resident Russell Hobbs said he understands her business reasoning. However, he does not agree with her because people should not take mind-altering substances that may skew judgment while voting.
“I would like to see us continue with that due to the facts that it effects, it’s a mind altering addictive drug and that people that do go into vote need to have clarity of thinking and when they make choices,” he said.
A public hearing on the proposal has been set for March 25th at 6p.m. at the McCracken County courthouse.