A petition to once again put the legalization of alcohol sales on the ballot reached the office of County Clerk Lisha Popplewell last Monday, May 20.

Greg Shaw, representing a group known as Progress Jamestown, delivered over 200 signed petitions that will have the city of Jamestown voting for the possibility of a “moist” city, in which restaurants that seat over 100 and derive at least 70 percent of their sales from food will be allowed to apply to sell alcohol by the drink.

The more than 200 petitions represent at least 25 percent of the registered voters voted in the last election within the city, a requisite for obtaining a special balloting.

The petitions were verified by the clerk’s office last Tuesday and according to Kentucky Revised Statues a date for an election must take place no less than 60 days and no more than 90 days from the date of the petitions being submitted. The date for the election has been set for July 22, according to officials.

All households within the city of Jamestown were mailed the petition over a month ago and said: “I request that the following proposition be placed on the ballot to be voted on by the registered voters within the city limits of Jamestown, Kentucky: ‘Are you in favor of the sale of alcoholic beverages by the drink in Jamestown at restaurants and dining facilities with a seating capacity of at least one hundred (100) persons which derive at least seventy percent (70 percent) of their gross receipts from the sale of food?’”

Shaw said the initiative is not meant to advocate the consumption of alcohol but rather to provide a much needed economic boost to the city and its citizens.

“This will attract new restaurants and additional visitors, gain new jobs and bring in more income to the city and county,” he said.

Shaw noted that in neighboring communities that have voted to allow this option, there have been increases in growth, jobs and local tax revenue.

“Burnside–a city of only about 600 people–for example, averages about $210,000 a year on alcohol taxes,” Shaw said. “That means Burnside has about $3.5 million a year in revenue generated by its restaurants due to the sale of alcohol.” “Think about how many jobs and opportunities this would create for Jamestown which is twice as big as Burnside.”

Shaw said he’s unsure how many restaurants would qualify under the particular guidelines, but agreed that the passing of the new limited sale of alcohol could attract chain restaurants.

“I’m thinking about tourism,” Shaw said. “That’s what drives our county, especially Jamestown. This isn’t all the answers, no. But is it a start? I think so.”

Judge/Executive Gary Robertson said he would follow the KRS guidelines.

“We’re required by law, once it’s validated we have to, according to KRS 242.030, we’re required once it’s validated by the clerk for us to set an election day not earlier than 60 days and no more than 90 days from the date the petition is filed with the county clerk,” Robertson said. “That’s just following KRS. We’re not taking sides on it,” he said.