Somerset residents voted to legally sell alcohol within the city limits raises concerns for some about the effects to Russell County but for different reasons.

In the option election for registered voters within the city limits, the vote was 2,167 to 1,464 in unofficial returns in favor of making the city fully wet.

After nearly 80 years legally dry, Somerset will be fully wet allowing package stores and alcohol sales at other businesses.

After the election, Somerset city officials were busy fielding inquiries regarding opening alcohol sales related businesses.

“We’ve been overwhelmed with response from investors in package stores, retail stores and other businesses interested in coming to Somerset,” said Somerset Mayor Eddie Girdler.

Girdler said the city and Russell County are closely associated and foresees prosperity for the lake region.

“We have close ties to Russell County,” Mayor Girdler said. “We are anticipating this to economically benefit the entire region.”

Locally the option is opposite that prediction with tourism officials and business people expressing concerns about losing business in the county.

“This is a case where I’m really concerned that Russell County may have a disadvantage in the future on some of the tourism dollars that are spent in the area,” Russell County Tourism Marketing Director John Carter said. “With legal alcohol sales in Somerset, we could have a potential problem attracting tourists that we need to sustain life in Russell County.”

Local businessman Bill Jasper, owner of the State Dock Marina in Jamestown and Wolf Creek Marina in Jabez, agrees that Somerset’s gain may be Russell County’s loss.

“I don’t think there’s any question that there will be a positive impact on tourism in Somerset,” said Jasper. “It will attract nice restaurants, spur development and give them an edge over Russell County as it relates to tourism.”

Carter worries that new development in Somerset will make attracting visitors to Russell County more difficult in the near future.

“I’m concerned with the benefit of alcohol and the tax base that’s going to create for Somerset that we’re going to have to work ten times harder just to get people to come into our area and use our marinas,” said Carter. “Right now we don’t need that problem.”

He said 30 percent of all Russell County business is tourism related.

“We depend upon the tourism and tourists for a great amount of our revenue that comes into the county and as an individual and as the tourist director, I’m a little concerned,” Carter said.

Russell County government and the tourist commission are stretched financially as it is without the possibility of losing part of the tourism revenue, he said.

In Pulaski County, officials predict alcohol sales will bring in not only tourists but also residents from neighboring dry counties.

She said Pulaski County government will also benefit by collecting funds from alcohol sales in Somerset.

“It’s my understanding that the county can also put a tax on alcohol,” Curry said. “Which, if we can, we will so that’s going to be more money (in Pulaski County.)”

She predicts legalizing alcohol sales in Somerset will prompt others in Russell County to pursue a vote.

“I think it’s going to have a big impact and I think it’s going to force one of (Russell County’s) precincts to go wet now,” Curry said. “I think when Russell County sees what happens here (in Somerset) and how much more money flows into the city and the county it’s going to make them look at how much of that is their money that’s leaving the county.”

Carter said a couple of people have spoken to him about starting petitioning to get a vote in Russell County.

“I’m sure there are going to be some meetings started here before very long that will push the issue,” said Carter. “I just hope the community will take a hard look at some of the benefits versus the hang-ups that some people have.”

Some people in Russell County are concerned that legal alcohol sales may bring hardships to the area because of easy access locally and they don’t want to see the issue of a vote arise in the county again.

Jamestown Christian Church Pastor Tony Stephens is against legal alcohol sales locally based on religious convictions against alcohol use and its negative impact on families and the community.

“I hope we do not go wet,” said Stephens. “I think it brings a lot of challenges and problems for families.”

He said economic growth has its price when alcohol sales are prompting development.

“The argument that (alcohol sales) brings money to the community but with that comes other problems,” Stephens said. “If you ask a businessman in an area where alcohol is legal, he’ll tell you it’s great but if you ask a police officer, he’ll give you a different story.”

Russell County Jailer Bobby Dunbar’s opinion is the same as in 2009 when he was outspoken in his opposition of a vote to legalize alcohol sales in the Jamestown and Lake Precincts.

He said alcohol had a negative impact on his life and he doesn’t want to see sales legalized here in the county.

“That was my life at one time and I know what it done to me,” said Dunbar. “I know they’re going to say, ‘Well we’ve got bootleggers and it’s easy access anyway,’ but from my perspective I just cannot bring myself to agree with legalized alcohol in Russell County for the simple fact that it’s easy access.

However, easy access is exactly what Jasper says the community needs to attract more businesses and more tourists.

Jasper said most of Russell County tourists are attracted here by the lake but are looking for something else to do so restaurants, hotels, attractions and shopping are also major considerations when choosing where they spend vacation dollars.

Out of town visitors to Lake Cumberland are surprised to learn upon arrival that Russell County is dry and they have to travel to another area to purchase alcohol or have a drink with dinner, he said.

“Most of our tourists come from out of state and are often caught off guard when they find out they can’t buy a drink,” said Jasper. “We just had the International Houseboat Expo here and lots of folks were driving out of town to buy supplies when they found out we were dry–it happens every day.”

Jasper believes Russell County offers stunning vistas and prime boating but would like to offer some conveniences visitors want in a vacation destination.

“Russell County has the most beautiful part of the lake and the best boating in the country,” said Jasper. “I am hopeful that over time we can make progress in the off lake amenities that tourists are looking for.”

If both sides of the issue square off again in an election to legalize alcohol it will be the second time since November 24, 2009.

The last vote to legalize alcohol sales held in Russell County for the Lake Precinct and the Jamestown Precinct, was ruled voided for illegality by Judge Julia M. Adams after a lawsuit was filed contesting the election.