DRAFFENVILLE – The Kentucky Lake Convention and Visitor’s Bureau (formerly MC Tourism Commission) met Wednesday night in a special-called meeting to determine their course of action in taking the issue of alcohol sales back to the ballot.
This effort is a follow-up to a close but unsuccessful attempt two-and-a-half years ago by the Marshall 1st group in a special election where the measure was narrowly defeated, 6,906 votes to 6,211. State law requires a mandatory three-year waiting period between special elections, which is set to expire July 17.
KY Lake CVB Director Randy Newcomb said today that last night’s meeting included discussion about the number of required petition signatures needed to put the issue back on the ballot and possible dates for the election. Newcomb reports this time around 3,366 verifiable petition signatures will be required to get alcohol sales on the ballot compared to just 2,100 needed last time.
The variance between the two is the result of a higher voter turnout in the last general election. According to KRS, a petition must be signed by a number of constitutionally qualified voters equal to 25 percent of the votes cast in the last preceding general election. In this case, that number was 13,463.
Newcomb said in discussing possible dates for the special election, the group is setting their sights on July 21 or July 28th. “The great thing about both dates are that they are before the start of the school year and would prevent clsoure of schools for the purpose of holding the special election,” Newcomb said.
“Looking at those two dates, we prefer July 28th, but ultimately it will be up to the county judge-executive to decide once the petition is filed.” From the date the petition is filed and verified, according to KRS, the special election must be held no sooner than 60 days and no later than 90 days.
As for how things will differ this time around, Newcomb said he hopes the issue will not be as divisive within the community. “We are going to try to get the petitions signed and the issue put on ballot. We want the people to decide. If they are for it, they should go to the polls and vote and if they are against it, they should do the same.”
He said the community will not see the same type of wide-spread campaign waged by the ‘Marshall 1st’ group in 2012. “At this time, we do not foresee putting a lot of signs out and things of that nature,” Newcomb said. “This is purely being done from a tourism standpoint.”
It is unclear whether or not the ‘Say NO’ side will launch a formal campaign to oppose the issue. Representatives have stated thus far they were waiting for official confirmation that the issue was in fact headed back to the ballot before acting on the proposal. We expect to hear a final decision on their intentions in the coming weeks.
For now, Newcomb reports the petition is being drafted and will soon be finalized for distribution. He says he welcomes any comments or concerns and invites those interested to stop by the Ky Lake CVB located at 93 Carroll Rd. in Draffenville or to call 270-527-3128. “My door is always open,” he added.
Petitions will be available at the office in the coming weeks for those who would like to help take the issue of alcohol sales back to the ballot.