LETTER TO THE EDITOR

Published on 12/2/2003

Wet/dry history

Dear Editor:

First of all, I would like to acknowledge kudos to Terrell Tebbits and Rick Baber for their contributions about Josie's. I recently received a letter from Mr. Carpenter about his proposed venture, and he already had over 1,100 memberships sent in. That is unbelievable for that many people applying for membership for a restaurant that is only being proposed. I have been a member of this community for almost 53 years and do not remember anyone being run over by someone leaving the Batesville Country Club while driving by their swimming pool that was always full of children in the summer months. I do not remember anyone being run over in the parks around the river by anyone leaving the VFW. I personally did not know the VFW even had a drink permit. All of this rhetoric about Josie's reminds me a lot of 20 years ago when the Duck Blind was applying for their private club license in the Ramada Inn. Basically the same people were opposed to it like they are opposed to Mr. Carpenter's venture with the Lock House. The Duck Blind successfully received their permit and in a matter of weeks the whole issue was forgotten and life went on. The elected officials of the time also were in opposition because they had to run for their respective offices again. That is sad that one has to fear reprisal about his or her beliefs so not to be able to acknowledge their true feelings and patronize a good restaurant and have a drink with their meal. It amuses me to hear about the wet/dry issue and that the people of Independence County voted the county dry and that is the way they want it to remain. Let me furnish you a little history about the era when this issue was voted on. On January 22 of that year, The Battle of Anzio was initiated; January 31, American troops took the Marshall Islands; February 12, The Battle of Cassino began; February 14, The Battle of Monte Casino began; June 6, The Battle of Normandy began; this was D-Day, when the allied forces invaded Normandy, France. June 15, American troops were sent to Saipan; and on June 19, The Battle of the Philippine Sea began. Later on that year in October the Battle of Leyte began; December 16, The Battle of the Bulge (Ardennes) began. Also that year, the voters of Independence held an election and voted Independence County dry. This was in May of 1944. The results of the election were 1,252 votes in favor of selling alcohol in Independence County and 1,457 votes opposing the sale of alcohol in Independence County. The margin of vote was a mere 205 votes in favor of having a dry county. Some of the old timers remembered most of the men of voting age being in the service and overseas at the time of the election. Also, in 1944, a poll tax of $1 was required to be paid before one could vote. During this time of war, many items were rationed and hard to come by. For some, a dollar was also hard to come by. Again, some of the old timers of the area remembered some of the local church officials paying the poll tax for voters who could not afford it. It is now the 21st Century and times, attitudes, and ways of life have dramatically changed. I can remember when no one would put an empty beer box or liquor bottle in their trash because of being afraid someone might see it and think less of them. Now, you can run into someone of all faiths and denominations while shopping in a liquor store and they will even speak to you. Just think of all the tax dollars that have been collected in Jackson, Woodruff and Pulaski Counties from liquor sales that were brought back to Independence County over the last 60 years.

The Citizens for Progress that organized the sales tax referendum that was recently defeated should consider other ways of producing income for economic development and expansions. Maybe they should consider a ballot with issues on it such as annexation of lands in all directions of Batesville for 2 to 3 miles. The state turn back dollars would be enormous. The population might easily exceed 15,000 people. This would open the door to many government grants for infrastructure improvements. Industry and business would look at Batesville with a different light after the population signs exceed 10,000. Finally, a wet/dry issue could be included. The sales tax dollars collected for the retail sale of liquor would be in the millions of dollars. Not only would all the dollars spent in other counties stay here, the local private clubs would not have to go to retail stores in other wet counties to buy their inventory.

Respectfully,

Kenton Guenzel Jr.



Editor's Note: Until some kind of decision is reached on Josie's at the Lockhouse we will not be printing any more letters to the editor on this subject. Both sides, for and against, have expressed their views, many of those are becoming redundant. Thank you for giving us your opinions on the subject.