Benton County Group Closes in on Signatures Needed for a Wet/Dry Vote
By: Cassidy Hodges
Updated: May 12, 2012
Across Benton County, volunteers are trying to find the last 10,000 signatures that will put retail alcohol sales on the ballot this November.
"We have to get 38% of registered voters in Benton County to sign this petition to put it on the ballot," says Jay Allen, a spokesperson for the group "Keep Dollars in Benton County".
He says they need 40,000 signatures.
"We just need a few thousand more and really just wanted to make it a real easy Saturday for people to come and sign up," says Allen.
Because he says the hardest part is putting the pen in their hand.
"Benton County voters have not had the opportunity to vote on whether or not Benton County should be wet or dry since the 1940s," says Allen.
Some think it should stay that way.
"It's going to be a whole different world if it becomes a wet county and I truly hope it doesn't because it will change everybody's way of life," says Laura Dunn.
But others think too much money is walking right out of Benton County.
"I've always thought it was crazy for us to send money out of state," says Wayne Garrett, who signed the petition Saturday.
"There's millions of dollars on the table literally and that's one of the main reasons why this is important to this group," says Allen.
The possible change, doesn't come without fear.
"Most people want to live where the crime rate is very low," says Dunn.
And she is worried retail alcohol sales will change that.
But at least 30,000 Benton County residents just want the opportunity to vote on the issue.
"I think that we ought to wake up and do what's right for everybody, not just what we consider to be moral or right," says Garrett.
Petitioners say they hope to obtain the rest of the signatures within the next month.
If you're interested in signing the petition, or would like more information visit Keep Dollars in Benton County.
"We have to get 38% of registered voters in Benton County to sign this petition to put it on the ballot," says Jay Allen, a spokesperson for the group "Keep Dollars in Benton County".
He says they need 40,000 signatures.
"We just need a few thousand more and really just wanted to make it a real easy Saturday for people to come and sign up," says Allen.
Because he says the hardest part is putting the pen in their hand.
"Benton County voters have not had the opportunity to vote on whether or not Benton County should be wet or dry since the 1940s," says Allen.
Some think it should stay that way.
"It's going to be a whole different world if it becomes a wet county and I truly hope it doesn't because it will change everybody's way of life," says Laura Dunn.
But others think too much money is walking right out of Benton County.
"I've always thought it was crazy for us to send money out of state," says Wayne Garrett, who signed the petition Saturday.
"There's millions of dollars on the table literally and that's one of the main reasons why this is important to this group," says Allen.
The possible change, doesn't come without fear.
"Most people want to live where the crime rate is very low," says Dunn.
And she is worried retail alcohol sales will change that.
But at least 30,000 Benton County residents just want the opportunity to vote on the issue.
"I think that we ought to wake up and do what's right for everybody, not just what we consider to be moral or right," says Garrett.
Petitioners say they hope to obtain the rest of the signatures within the next month.
If you're interested in signing the petition, or would like more information visit Keep Dollars in Benton County.
