Legalized alcohol sales for Somerset?

Opportunity

Once again the issue of alcohol sales is making an appearance in the discussion of the future of our local area. The current incarnation was led by a local option effort to be held for the precinct that includes Eagle’s Nest which wants to be able to serve alcoholic drinks at the clubhouse. It was not long before the well known opposition leaders took to the highways and airwaves to oppose the measure. Then in the midst of this a local businessman decided to spearhead an effort to legalize alcohol sales for the City of Somerset. Mr. Weddle proposes his effort as an economic issue while the opposition refers to it as an issue of morality.

Readers of this column are aware that I have espoused such sales as a means of presenting the Somerset-Pulaski County area in a progressive light. I must hasten to say that many of my friends and family disagree with me and I understand their reasons just as I understand the opposition leaders’ efforts against it. There can be no doubt that drug abuse and alcoholism are dreadful blots on a society and can bring suffering to those who are associated with such abuse. But, I will make the point that we don’t make cars illegal because they can be used to kill people nor have we been successful at gun regulation that would prevent many murderous crimes. It is in the same light that we must view the legal sales of alcoholic beverages. Now, I am very aware that this line of reasoning will not change many minds but it is mine, nevertheless. Those who have opposed the sale of alcoholic beverages on the basis of morality will continue to do so regardless of any persuasive argument. Prohibition was done a century ago and was not particularly effective or popular but it did give rise to the criminal elements that prospered from the illegal provision that people desired. At the onset it enjoyed widespread popularity but proved impossible to enforce and its end was joyously celebrated.

At this point I feel I should point out that I don’t drink such beverages although I have certainly done so in the past. I found that my aspirations, a wife and alcohol did not mix. I have known some who fell victim to addiction to this substance but my experience is that the large majority have enough sense to handle social drinking responsibly. I think this is true generally. I am loathe to try to legislate morality when there is such profound disagreement and prefer to leave the matter to individual conscience.

I do however agree that the legalized sale of alcoholic beverages is necessary for Somerset and Pulaski County to reach the potential that is present for our location, size and the availability of Lake Cumberland.

Burnside led the way a few years ago with sales in restaurants but did not include package sales. The Proposal for Somerset does include package sales which, according to Mr. Weddle, amount to some 80% of Danville’s revenue from sales. While a few restaurants have sprang up on the U.S. 27 corridor, Burnside has not been aggressive in recruitment of other opportunities. Somerset is better positioned to do so.

We, and I mean that inclusively, are aware that our citizens have for many hears driven to Richmond, Nicholasville or Tennessee to purchase beer, wine or liquor. Now they drive to Lancaster or Danville to spend the money that could be retained in our local area. I am persuaded that if people want to drink they are going to do so regardless of the challenges to procurement. I am also very doubtful that legalized sales will result in a large increase in intoxicated driving since those people are now induced to travel 65 miles or more to purchase beer and liquor. Very few will make the drive home without lifting a few on the road.

I agree with the argument that the economic impact would be significant. The major impact would not be in the sale of the alcoholic beverages but, rather, in the associated entertainment opportunities that would necessarily follow it. In addition, it is just a fact of human nature that many businesses choose not to locate here due to the lack of entertainment and other activities that would be encouraged by the sale of adult beverages. Those businesses are not limited to nightclubs and restaurants but also include traditional businesses that would transfer management personnel here to live.

Mr. Weddle has pointed out the the city would be limited by population to about four package outlets which would certainly deny the argument that there would be alcohol on every corner and drunks in the gutters and on the sidewalks. There will be some. There already are.

Somerset has allowed some opportunities to escape in recent years due to a lack of vision among the councilors and city leaders. The Judge-Executive of Pulaski County is on record as opposing the legalized sale of alcohol so the burden is on the city to act. It is an opportunity for Somerset to move into the ranks of forward looking cities or to remain a parochial backwater.

My take on this issue is that Somerset must move to approve legal sales in order to compete with surrounding cities that threaten to outperform our economy.