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Saturday, October 29, 2016 • 1C DAYHERE, MONTHHERE DATEHERE, YearHere • 1
Voter’s Guide A Special Publication of the Shawnee News-Star
POTTAWATOMIE COUNTY
Voters to decide Sunday alcohol question Dennis agreed. “We've had several chain restaurants run from this community because we don't allow alcohol sales on Sunday,” she said, saying now this issue will be up to a vote of the people. And while many of the restaurants that may serve alcohol on Sundays are located in Shawnee, this is a countywide issue. Finley said a vote of approval can mean significant economic development and growth for Shawnee and Pottawatomie County. “We all know that business and sales tax allow the City of Shawnee and other towns in Pottawatomie County to provide services such as police, fire, and utility services,” he said. “These services are the lifeblood of the community. Any decline in economic growth causes the cities to look to the citizens to supplement the money shortfall in their budgets; or cut services.” Dennis, who has said they're not trying to promote drinking of alcohol, said those dining out can already order beer on Sundays, so this election is more about the eco-
ard Finley, who just recently took office, is in favor of allowing Sunday alcohol sales to better compete with Cleveland and Oklahoma counties. “Today, Pottawatomie County restaurants do not have the ability to sell wine or liquor on Sunday,” he said. “ While only a short 25-minute drive allows this service, Shawnee is hampered with its inability to attract other quality restaurants because of this law. Community leaders have been told this repeatedly; and it impacts our ability to attract not only patrons, but additional restaurants. A yes vote will slant the odds just a little more in our favor.” Other community leaders agree. When calling the election, County Commissioner Eddie Stackhouse said this is an issue of economic development and attracting bigger franchises to open here. Lifting the restriction of Sunday alcohol sales also may discourage area residents from driving west to Oklahoma County and spending tax dollars there on Sundays, he said. Commissioner Melissa
By Kim Morava kimberly.morava@news-star. com Twitter: @Kim_NewsStar
A proposition on the Nov. 8 ballot asks voters to decide whether to allow the sale of alcoholic beverages by the drink on Sundays in Pottawatomie County. Current laws in Pottawatomie County prohibit the sale of anything other than low-point beer at Shawnee and county restaurants on Sundays, while such restrictions are not in place in nearby Cleveland or Oklahoma counties. As the law is now, a person dining out in Pottawatomie County on a Monday can order an alcoholic drink, such as a margarita or even a glass of wine, but ordering those same drinks on a Sunday is not allowed by law. Pottawatomie County commissioners, citing the pros for economic development possibilities and tax revenue, approved a resolution over the summer to place this issue on the November ballot after the Shawnee city commission requested it. Shawnee Mayor Rich-
S A M P L E OFFICIAL BALLOT SPECIAL ELECTION November 08, 2016 POTTAWATOMIE COUNTY, OKLAHOMA
B A L L O T PRECINCT 630001-CQ63 POTTAWATOMIE COUNTY
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TO VOTE:
FILL IN THE BOX NEXT TO YOUR CHOICE(S) LIKE THIS:
PROPOSITION Shall a proposition approving the sale of alcoholic beverages by the individual drink for on-premises consumption on Sunday, be approved by the people.
SAMPLE
SAMPLE
Sunday alcohol issue in Pottawatomie County narrowly failed by less than one percent, with 7,063, or 50.7 percent, voting against it. As a result, Pottawatomie County on-premise institutions continued to serve only beer on Sundays. And while this Sunday proposition only impacts voters in Pottawatomie County, voters in all 77 counties statewide will decide an unrelated alcohol issue in State Question 792.
That state question, if passed, would allow liquor stores statewide to sell cold beer or chilled wine and also would allow grocery and convenience stories to sell cold, highpoint beer and wine. Currently, only 3.2 percent beer can be sold in grocery or convenience stores and liquor stores cannot currently sell anything that is refrigerated. More about this can be found in the State Questions section of this voter guide.
alcohol On The
Ballot
State Question
792
LEGISLATIVE REFERENDUM NO. 370 This measure repeals Article 28 of the Oklahoma Constitution and restructures the laws governing alcoholic beverages through a new Article 28A and other laws the Legislature will create if the measure passes. The new Article 28A provides that with exceptions, a person or company can have an ownership interest in only one area of the alcoholic beverage business-manufacturing, wholesaling, or retailing. Some restrictions apply to the sales of manufacturers, brewers, winemakers, and wholesalers. Subject to limitations, the Legislature may authorize direct shipments to consumers of wine. Retail locations like grocery stores may sell wine and beer. Liquor stores may sell products other than alcoholic beverages in limited amounts. The Legislature must create licenses for retail locations, liquor stores, and
places serving alcoholic beverages and may create other licenses. Certain licensees must meet residency requirements. Felons cannot be licensees. The Legislature must designate days and hours when alcoholic beverages may be sold and may impose taxes on sales. Municipalities may levy an occupation tax. If authorized, a state lodge may sell individual alcoholic beverages for on-premises consumption but no other state involvement in the alcoholic beverage business is allowed. With one exception, the measure will take effect October 1, 2018. FOR THE PROPOSAL – YES AGAINST THE PROPOSAL – NO
summary
FOR THE PROPOSITION - YES AGAINST THE PROPOSITION - NO
nomic impact. She said several different entities, from the county fire departments to senior citizens, the OSU Extension, highways and more, all benefit from a portion of the county's one-cent sales tax. “The more economic development grows, the more sales tax we get. The more sales tax we get, everybody benefits,” she said. This isn't the first time the Sunday alcohol issue has been put on the ballot. In November 2014, the
SUMMARY: If the proposal is approved, it would repeal Article 28 of the Oklahoma Constitution and replace it with Article 28A, which restructures the laws governing alcohol. If approved, the measure will go into effect on October 1, 2018. Currently, under Oklahoma law, liquor stores can sell full-strength, unrefrigerated beer but cannot sell cold beer or chilled wine. Liquor stores can sell wine and spirits but no other items. Grocery and convenience stores can sell cold low-point beer (3.2 percent alcohol by weight) but
not spirits, wine, or high-point beer. State Question 792 would change the current alcohol laws to allow grocery, convenience, and drug stores to sell cold, high-point beer (up to 8.99 percent alcohol by volume) and wine (up to 15 percent alcohol by volume). Liquor stores would be allowed to sell cold beer and any item that also may be purchased in a grocery store or convenience store—except motor fuel—in limited amounts. Liquor or spirits will still only be available for purchase from licensed retail liquor stores.
Information provided by Oklahoma Press Association
Nick is a father, attorney, small business owner, and active member of the community. Nick and his sister, Sarah Oliver, were raised in Shawnee by their parents, Tom and Mary Atwood. He is proud to be raising his two children, Kaitlyn and Carson, in the community that has given him so much. Nick believes that the current budget crisis and lack of leadership & solutions at the State Capitol is unacceptable. Having worked for Governor Brad Henry at the Capitol,
Nick knows how, from day one, to help lead our state out of this crisis.
VOTEFORATWOOD.COM @VoteForAtwood (405) 689-0990 | VoteForAtwood@gmail.com Authorized and Paid for by Nick Atwood for House District 26 2016 Richard Finley, Treasurer, P.O Box 755, Shawnee, OK 74802