Wet/Dry Counties

[jwheat]

I live in a dry county on a lake. Dumbest thing I've ever heard of. Russell County just passed a vote to go wet and Adair County votes in a couple weeks if I'm not mistaken. There is a petition starting up in the county that I live in (Cumberland) to get it on the ballot in the summer.

Why do you think it's so difficult for these things to get passed? What would be the best way to go about getting it done?

 

[BBdK]

I hope they all change except Jefferson, Hopkins, and Fayette...just to mess up Joey's wood thing.

 

[UKGrad93]

Bootleggers & Baptist.

An interesting article that I ran across shows that there are more meth labs in dry counties.

 

[KingOfBBN]

Total idiots that can't see that that going wet creates new jobs, brings businesses into your terrible town, generates money for your county instead of neighboring counties and you have more forms for entertainment and dining. That way, you don't have to drive two hours once every couple of months to get a decent meal that isn't fast food or a diner.

Here's a brilliant concept. If you don't want to drink then don't effing drink. These idiots act like they're going to open bars right beside grade schools.

 

[KingOfBBN]

Bootleggers & Baptist.

An interesting article that I ran across shows that there are more meth labs in dry counties.

I'd also like to see the teen pregnancy rate in these towns with nothing to do and nowhere decent to eat.

Haven't been back to those types of area in like 5 years but a lot of them are becoming ghost towns with absolutely nothing to offer. No wonder people would be bored out of their minds.

 

[UKGrad93]

Total idiots that can't see that that going wet creates new jobs, brings businesses into your terrible town, generates money for your county instead of neighboring counties and you have more forms for entertainment and dining. That way, you don't have to drive two hours once every couple of months to get a decent meal that isn't fast food or a diner.

Here's a brilliant concept. If you don't want to drink then don't effing drink. These idiots act like they're going to open bars right beside grade schools.

I'll bet the teachers would like that @funKYcat75 @jedwar .

 

[allabouttheUK]

I live in a dry county on a lake. Dumbest thing I've ever heard of. Russell County just passed a vote to go wet and Adair County votes in a couple weeks if I'm not mistaken. There is a petition starting up in the county that I live in (Cumberland) to get it on the ballot in the summer.

Why do you think it's so difficult for these things to get passed? What would be the best way to go about getting it done?

So Mercer County was completely dry until about 10 years ago I think. Then they voted to go "damp" (only sale in establishments that seat more than 100 people. Now they just voted and passed to lower that to 50 people or more per establishment and to allow it in stores.
To get it passed they ran a pretty hard "for a rural county" campaign, with lots of fliers and mailers to get support. Don't know the makeup of your country, but ours has changed quite a bit from the old dry days.

 

[bluelifer]

There are likely many more potential wet votes than dry votes in your county already, so the main thing for the wet side will be getting it's voters to the polls. You can bet your *** the dry side will be rallying every Sunday from now until voting day, so it's important that the wet side be diligent as well.

Social media can be a huge tool in the effort if it is managed properly. It needs to be overseen by someone who is intelligent, and well spoken. Avoid arguing the religious and moral aspects and focus on the financial gains and personal freedom aspects of a yes vote. Offer overwhelming evidence that supports your stance (there's plenty out there, and it's easily attainable).

 

[KingOfBBN]

I've never understood the supposed biblical scripture that states you shall not drink considering Jesus' first miracle was turning water into wine. I've seen you shouldn't be a drunkard but nothing about "alcohol is the devil."

 

[bigblueinsanity_rivals250340]

Being dry doesn't stop people from drinking at all. It just stops particular counties from making money from people drinking.

 

[UKGrad93]

Being dry doesn't stop people from drinking at all. It just stops particular counties from making money from people drinking.

Being dry encourages other drugs such as meth.

 

[KingOfBBN]

Being dry doesn't stop people from drinking at all. It just stops particular counties from making money from people drinking.

Kind of the same stance as drug laws and gun control...ideology blocks common sense.

But yeah, they could actually make a profit and get people jobs but can't have people selling dem der Coors Lights and doin the devil's work, corrupting da children.

 

[allabouttheUK]

We are sandwiched between Anderson and Boyle counties. Both have been wet for as long as I can remember, and Mercer stayed dry. All one had to do was drive to the either country to get their fix..it's what I did until I quit drinking. I'm sure there are some fiscal advantages to being wet, but not what some make it out to be. Don't believe me, just look at Lawrenceburg compared to Harrodsburg. I'm not for or against, just think the arguement for needs for than improving the local economy to make it work.

 

[jwheat]

My biggest complaint is that i have to drive half an hour into Tennessee to get a fifth of bourbon that was made inside our state.

The first thing tourist want to do when they drive from noky or Indiana/Ohio to come spend a weekend on the lake is get alcohol. Well guess what guys? You're gonna have to drive on into Tennessee instead of one of the three docks in our own county

 

[funKYcat75]

If there weren't no dry cont

We are sandwiched between Anderson and Boyle counties. Both have been wet for as long as I can remember, and Mercer stayed dry. All one had to do was drive to the either country to get their fix..it's what I did until I quit drinking. I'm sure there are some fiscal advantages to being wet, but not what some make it out to be. Don't believe me, just look at Lawrenceburg compared to Harrodsburg. I'm not for or against, just think the arguement for needs for than improving the local economy to make it work.

Quitter.

 

[allabouttheUK]

My biggest complaint is that i have to drive half an hour into Tennessee to get a fifth of bourbon that was made inside our state.

The first thing tourist want to do when they drive from noky or Indiana/Ohio to come spend a weekend on the lake is get alcohol. Well guess what guys? You're gonna have to drive on into Tennessee instead of one of the three docks in our own county

I would think going wet would really benefit your country financially with the Lake and summer tourist. It's not gonna do much for a county like mine where you have a historic park or two, and not much else.

I could put you in touch with the guy that spearheaded our move to wet in the latest election a few days ago if you want. Just let me know and we can talk about it.

 

[MegaBlue05]

It's really rather silly.

In fact, I used to work in media and talked to several folks in law enforcement about this issue. One cop in a dry county said they write just as many DUIs in dry counties as wet ones because ... if the average consumer has to drive 45 minutes to buy a case or a bottle, they have some on the way back home or they go to wet areas to drink at restaurants or bars and drive home.

It's also interesting to note that the "no" crowd is usually heavily financed by liquor store owners in wet counties that border dry ones.

Bottom line is alcohol is legal for adults to consume in all 50 states. As Heisman said, if you don't believe in drinking don't do it, just don't ruin it for everyone else.

 

[allabouttheUK]

Quitter.

Absolutely! My gut hasn't realized I quit yet though.

 

[allabouttheUK]

It's really rather silly.

In fact, I used to work in media and talked to several folks in law enforcement about this issue. One cop in a dry county said they write just as many DUIs in dry counties as wet ones because ... if the average consumer has to drive 45 minutes to buy a case or a bottle, they have some on the way back home or they go to wet areas to drink at restaurants or bars and drive home.

It's also interesting to note that the "no" crowd is usually heavily financed by liquor store owners in wet counties that border dry ones.

Bottom line is alcohol is legal for adults to consume in all 50 states. As Heisman said, if you don't believe in drinking don't do it, just don't ruin it for everyone else.

That was one thing that made me so mad when we went "damp". So you are gonna sell it to people at an eating establishment ONLY...so they can get in a car a drive?! Hell just open some liquor stores and let them take their alcohol home with them and get drunk.
It worked out better than I feared, but just didn't and still doesn't make much sense to me. I guess it was more or less a test to see if going wet would bring in the money they were hoping for.

 

[bluelifer]

Going wet won't, by itself, 'fix' anything in your county. Progress requires a combination of things, the most important of which is competent leadership. There is a lot of personal opinion involved in whether a county may benefit or suffer from going wet. What isn't personal opinion is being able to tell, down to the $.01, how much tax revenue was generated by the sale of alcohol within the county.

 

[wall2rondo]

Restaurant chains look each quarter where to put new stores. Going "wet" can be a big benefit for the area

I remember Murray going wet back around 99. Applebee's was the first place to open to sell alcohol. They didn't know how well it was going to do so they built a smaller version of their normal stores. In a year, it was the largest grossing Applebee's in the country and ended up becoming their training headquarters.

I drove through Murray a couple years ago and that place has grown tremendously. Surrounding counties started to follow suit. I know Murray is a college town but it didn't have anything for years. You had to drive to TN just for a drink. That caused more wrecks and DUIs because of the distance Murray state started a DD program Around the time it went wet. It was very beneficial

 

[Ineverplayedthegame]

Shelbyville is wet. County is dry. Consequently CVS (even though their morals won't allow tobacco sales), by being in the city have 4 aisles of booze. Walgreen's directly across US-60, is in the county, so they can't join the fun. Diageo who make Bulliet bourbon among many other spirits are building a huge distillery in the county. With no sales or tastings I see any visitor center DOA.

 

[Bluetick2100]

Sorry, after watching my brother(and several friends) drink themselves to death , I wished it was illegal..

Legalize weed instead.

 

[Perrin75]

One other argument that can be brought up which I seldom see is the fact that a liquor store is required to ID, a bootlegger is not. So, go wet for the children! Hmm...I wonder if I can get that on a t-shirt.

 

[Get Buckets]

One other argument that can be brought up which I seldom see is the fact that a liquor store is required to ID, a bootlegger is not. So, go wet for the children! Hmm...I wonder if I can get that on a t-shirt.

I don't think that's a good idea.

 

[jwheat]

Sorry, after watching my brother(and several friends) drink themselves to death , I wished it was illegal..

Legalize weed instead.

Sorry for your loss but I've also seen people eat them self to death.

 

[bigblueinsanity_rivals250340]

Being dry encourages other drugs such as meth.

Not exactly. Ive seen the article youre talking about. I think it has more to do with meth use being high in rural communities that happen to be dry; although in fairness the article was trying to make the conclusion you did.

Kind of the same stance as drug laws and gun control...ideology blocks common sense.

But yeah, they could actually make a profit and get people jobs but can't have people selling dem der Coors Lights and doin the devil's work, corrupting da children.

Yep.

. I'm sure there are some fiscal advantages to being wet, but not what some make it out to be.

Look at cities like Whitesburg and Corbin. Whitesburg generated nearly 1 million in tax revenue their first year wet; and thats a tiny town.

Sorry, after watching my brother(and several friends) drink themselves to death , I wished it was illegal..

Legalize weed instead.

Sorry for your loss. But the poor decisions of a few shouldnt reinforce restrictions on the rest of us.

 

[UKGrad93]

Not exactly. Ive seen the article youre talking about. I think it has more to do with meth use being high in rural communities that happen to be dry; although in fairness the article was trying to make the conclusion you did.

I agree that the article I cited does not really support the conclusion that it makes. But it does show that there is more meth in dry counties. Not necessarily cause & effect. But I thought it was kinda funny that it even came up when searching for info about dry counties. I would guess that dry counties are important for moonshine sales though.

 

[bigblueinsanity_rivals250340]

I agree that the article I cited does not really support the conclusion that it makes. But it does show that there is more meth in dry counties. Not necessarily cause & effect. But I thought it was kinda funny that it even came up when searching for info about dry counties. I would guess that dry counties are important for moonshine sales though.

I agree. I think it has more to do with rural counties being both dry and hotbeds for meth. That's the connection they missed.

Dry counties are important for anyone selling alcohol illegally. Another reason why its so dumb. Since the modern automobile, being dry hasn't stopped the first person from drinking. They'll get it legally somewhere else, or illegally there.

 

[We-Todd-Did]

My county had an expansion vote and the big players on both sides were buttholes. It turned into the liars versus the pharisees. Every retailer that saw an opportunity said it would be worth 100x actual value to pass and the opposition was a big public display of piety. By the time of the vote I was sick of the whole mess.

 

[larry the cable guy]

Total idiots that can't see that that going wet creates new jobs, brings businesses into your terrible town, generates money for your county instead of neighboring counties and you have more forms for entertainment and dining. That way, you don't have to drive two hours once every couple of months to get a decent meal that isn't fast food or a diner.

Here's a brilliant concept. If you don't want to drink then don't effing drink. These idiots act like they're going to open bars right beside grade schools.

I have never understood the "it creates jobs" argument. In a rural community how much business is it going to generate? I could see a restaurant or 2 and maybe a few package stores but I highly doubt that big company executives are sitting around in their corporate meetings saying "I really wish Burkesville KY would go wet so we could put a factory in there because we can't attract workers if they can't stop at the package store on the way home to buy a 6 pack". They are more concerned with tax incentives, location in relations to major Interstates and available workforce than if a community is wet.

 

[joeyrupption]

Please refer to the KY booze map I made:

 

[larry the cable guy]

between liquor stores and restaurants opening it's not out of the question to think it could give upwards of a couple hundred people jobs. In a small town, that's a lot.

The largest factory in our town only employees just over 200 there is no way a couple of restaurants or package stores will employee that many.

 

[Ron Mehico]

Boy after reading this thread I didn't even realize there were still dry counties. Don't know how you guys manage to live in these small rural towns, just isn't for me. My god. [sick]

 

[larry the cable guy]

I don't drink so it doesn't affect me anyway.

 

[wall2rondo]

The largest factory in our town only employees just over 200 there is no way a couple of restaurants or package stores will employee that many.

The average chain restaurant has 55-65 employees. High volume places like chedders or Fridays may have 75. granted not all jobs are full time. But if a town gets two restaurants easily could bring 100 jobs.

 

[jwheat]

I don't drink so it doesn't affect me anyway.

Thanks for your valuable input. Just kidding, you're terrible

 

[larry the cable guy]

God, no kidding. It's not even debatable. It's not like there's 15 people running a chain restaurant.

and its not like there is 100 people running a package store either. Also in a small town such as where the OP is from I can't imagine you would get 2 chain sit down restaurants. It may even be hard for them to get 1. Somerset went wet and has only added a couple of restaurants since then and one of those has closed and reopened a couple of times. Of course some of the ones that were open already started selling alcohol. They also have added a couple of package stores. Their population is quite a bit bigger than Burkesville's.

 

[larry the cable guy]

Thanks for your valuable input. Just kidding, you're terrible

Right back atcha big boy

 

[jwheat]

I have never understood the "it creates jobs" argument. In a rural community how much business is it going to generate? I could see a restaurant or 2 and maybe a few package stores but I highly doubt that big company executives are sitting around in their corporate meetings saying "I really wish Burkesville KY would go wet so we could put a factory in there because we can't attract workers if they can't stop at the package store on the way home to buy a 6 pack". They are more concerned with tax incentives, location in relations to major Interstates and available workforce than if a community is wet.

How about the "they are going thirty minutes into Tennessee instead of stopping in our county on their way through"