Tuesday, July 25, 2000
Grant Co. to decide on booze
Heavy turnout expected during today's voting
By PATRICK CROWLEY
The Cincinnati Enquirer
WILLIAMSTOWN Ky. — Grant County officials expect a heavy turnout for today's election on allowing alcohol sales in this dry community.
Polls are open from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m., with the only issue on the ballot the wet/dry question. If approved, liquor, wine and beer could be sold by the drink or over the counter at stores.
Grant County is one of 75 dry counties in Kentucky where alcohol can be consumed but not purchased or sold.
Local officials say the turnout will be heavy, though they didn't offer a prediction on how many of the county's nearly 13,000 registered voters will cast a vote in today's election.
“I don't have any scientific data or knowledge to suggest how it will go one way or another ... but I think a lot of people are going to come out to vote,” said Grant County Judge-executive Darrell Link, who opposes liquor, beer and wine sales in the county.
“People are talking about it all over the county,” he said. “It's a pretty big issue here.”
Grant County Clerk Judy Fortner has also predicted a large turnout.
“It's the only thing on the ballot, and people are very interested in it,” she said.
A group called Freedom of Choice collected 827 signatures of registered voters earlier this year, placing the issue on the ballot. Leaders of the group have not returned phone calls to comment.
Both sides of the issue have campaigned for support.
The pro-alcohol group has been running ads on a Dry Ridge country music radio station. Opponents, led by a group of churches, went door to door last week asking residents to vote “No” on the issue.
Residents should vote at their normal polling places, Mrs. Fortner said. For questions about the vote, call the Grant County clerk's office at 824-3321.
Mr. Link expects the results to be in around 7 p.m.
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