At the Spotlight, we like to think we are very forward thinkers. This is how ideas like BOCODOD, free classifieds, and even the idea of distributing a publication to everyone for free were born. Down the street, there is another company that while may be a print publication, does not seem to think quite like we do.

They now offer free classifieds, and they even attempt to copy our distribution, but still end up in the bushes. It is only a matter of time before you see some duplication of our beloved BOCODOD.

I guess in the end, imitation is the most sincere form of flattery.

With that in mind, we decided to have a little fun in the second section and even provide you with an article that you would typically expect to find in the  local newspaper. Since we are here first (again), I guess our local paper just decided that it was not worth exploring.

The wet vs. dry issue is obviously a very hot topic in Boone County. We have explored numerous ways to write about the issue, but it was only recently that we determined how to do it successfully. By successfully, I mean that the Spotlight, unlike many other wide reaching media outlets around the country, does not take a stance on political or social issues. Of course our employees do have opinions, but the company will always remain neutral and will not push an agenda to its readers.

Therefore, this success comes through a written debate. Each comittee was given four identical questions and one unique question to answer. Now, you can see what each side has to say about their position, and you can make a more informed decision.

HERE IS YOUR WET VS DRY DEBATE:

QUESTION 1: In one or two sentences, why should Boone County go wet or stay dry?

WET SIDE RESPONSE: We believe that Boone County needs to go wet to be able to attract and retain tourist and new business to Harrison. We will not be able to attract restaurants like Chili’s, Applebee’s, Olive Garden etc. unless they have the ability to sell alcohol. We cannot bring or keep tourists here unless they have accessibility to nice restaurants where they can have a drink with their meal.

DRY SIDE RESPONSE: “Quality of Life” is what you get from a dry Boone County. More people are moving into dry counties in Arkansas than the wet ones. Dry counties have grown at an average rate of 22% while wet counties have grown at an average rate of 7.4% (US Census 2000).

What draws people to an area? Such things as: quality of physical care, quality of public schools, employment opportunities, lower housing prices, lower cost of living, relatively low taxes, relatively mild climate with varying seasons, and recreation opportunities available in an area.Summed up it comes back to “Quality of Life”.

Harrison was recently voted as one of the top 100 small town destinations in the US to live in or to retire too. Also Forbes Magazine has just recognized Harrison as having the top public school district in the nation. That’s right in the NATION. See the front page of the Harrison Daily Times Thursday, May 6, 2010 edition for the details.

QUESTION 2: Many note that alcohol is being purchased outside of Boone County to be consumed in Boone County. Some argue that this is lost tax revenue. Others argue that by adding alcohol sales to Boone County, there will be an increase in tax dollars spent on additional calls due to police, EMS, and other expenses. What is your opinion in this argument and please provide supporting information?

WET SIDE RESPONSE: We are losing considerable tax revenue to surrounding counties and even other states. Also when people are forced to drive out of Boone County for their beverage purchases they spend money on gas, groceries etc. while there. The people that want to obtain alcohol are forced to drive 40 miles round trip at a considerable cost. If they could purchase it here the money they would save on the drive could be spent on other things right here in Harrison.

The argument of additional police expense has no support. The Cullman Times on March 7, 2010 reported “After going wet, Arab sees drop in alcohol crimes”. The Lubbock Avalanche – Journal reported on April 26, 2009 “Alcohol hasn't increased crime in four recently wet cities”. These are recent wet/dry elections and the articles both quoted the local police departments.

DRY SIDE RESPONSE: It is true that some tax revenue is lost to alcohol sales that occur outside of Boone County. The fact is that approximately 80% of every tax dollar collected from the tax generated from the sale of alcohol goes back to the state unless there is a local sales tax that has been placed on the sale of alcohol products

When the sale of alcohol and gambling are combined approximately every dollar that is generated as revenue adds additional costs and demand on such services as police enforcement, EMS, drug/alcohol rehab services, juvenile services, domestic violence intervention and prevention services, etc… It cost approximately 3 dollars for every dollar that is brought in by the tax revenue. Not a real good return on the investment.

There have been past statewide attempts to have Boone County plus some additional counties designated by a state wide vote as counties that will be allowed to have legal gambling establishments. The entire state would determine this issue NOT local county voters who would be the most effected. How much time do you think will pass until that issue comes up again if Boone County goes wet?

Some say that we are already spending those resources. How can you already be spending those additional resources when they don’t exist yet?

QUESTION 3: Some believe that adding alcohol to the area will have a negative impact on safety. Do you support this and are do you have any statistics to support your argument?

WET SIDE RESPONSE: Again as in the answer to question 2 there are numerous cities that have recently gone wet that have had no noticeable increase in DWI rates, alcohol related traffic accidents or crime.

This was reported on http://www.cultureofspirits.com/history/prohibition/dry-county-goes-wet-alcohol-related-crime-drops/:

The city of Arab, Alabama, recently got an unexpected surprise: research by the city’s police chief, Mike Blackwood, found that alcohol related offenses have not risen since 2008, when the town decided to begin allowing sale of spirits.

And this was reported on http://www.austindwiattorney.org/2009/06/study-shows-that-wet-counties.html:
Posted In: Texas DWI Statistics
By Dunham Law Firm, P.C. on June 17, 2009 9:06 AM | Permalink
A recent review of combined traffic and crime data shows that Texas counties which sell alcohol, known as wet counties, have wide differences in crime rates and alcohol related accidents from those that don't. Though these differences are not exactly what the opponents of alcohol sales and distribution might think.

These recent statistics show that the fear of alcohol sales leading to more crimes, especially drunk driving in Texas, is unfounded. The 2007 data from the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), shows there were 502 Texas DWI arrests per 100,000 residents in dry counties versus 445 Texas DWI arrests in wet. Also shown in these statistics is the number of traffic fatalities involving alcohol in dry counties was 5.7 per 100,000 residents; more than twice the 2.7 rate in wet areas.

And this from the Tuscaloosa News March 22, 2010:
Peggy Batey, executive director of the Alabama chapter of Mothers Against Drunk Driving, said the odd amalgam of wet, dry and damp counties in Alabama forces some people to drive significant distances to buy liquor or beer. If you drive a long distance, you tend to buy in bulk. And if you buy in bulk, Batey said, you’re more likely to drink the same way.

“On weekends people drive to wet counties, and they stock up,” she said. MADD does not oppose legal drinking and has no position on the issue of wet versus dry counties, she said.

DRY SIDE RESPONSE: Yes we support this argument. Data (collected from 2001-2008) from several federal and state sources on crime rates indicate the following:

The percent of the top 10 large cities and small to medium sized cities in the state with the highest property crime rates and highest violent crime rates are located in wet counties.*

The percent of the top 10 large cities and small to medium sized cities that have the lowest property crime rates and violent crime rates are located in dry counties.*

*Specific statistics are available to support these statements and will be provided upon request.

There are numerous sources that show accidental death, bodily injury, assault, sexual abuse, academic problems, health problems including suicide, drunk driving, vandalism, and increased law enforcement involvement are all significantly increased in areas where alcohol is more easily accessible.

Here are a few examples: 40% of industrial fatalities and 47% of industrial injuries are alcohol related; alcohol cost employers more than 33 billion in reduced productivity each year; 50% of all traffic fatalities; 33% of all suicides; 50% of all murders; 18% of females & 39% of males say it is acceptable for a boy to force sex if the girl is stoned or drunk; the leading cause of death for teens and young adults is alcohol related traffic fatalities; 95% of all violent crime committed on college and 40% of academic problems are alcohol related; some form of alcohol related problem exists in 25% of all American families.

QUESTION 4: Would adding the sale of alcohol Boone County provide additional jobs?

WET SIDE RESPONSE: Absolutely, by voting Boone County wet 9 package licenses would be issued and at 6 employees per store that’s 54 employees. The average Applebee’s employs over 100 people, not to mention the additional income of those people supplying these new businesses.

The following was reported in a 2008 Texas study by The Perryman Group: Results for a representative small, 25,000-person community with per-capita income 10% below the state average indicate that the net impact of sales of alcoholic beverages totals almost $19.0 million in annual spending in the local economy, $10.8 million in output, and 185 jobs.

DRY SIDE RESPONSE: Yes there would be a small number of jobs created by allowing the sale of alcohol in Boone County. Most of those would be associated with the establishment that is selling the alcohol and the public services entities that would need additional staff to handle the higher demand for their services. Again a high price to pay for a very nominal number of additional jobs.

Time and effort could be better applied to getting additional manufacturing and or high tech jobs that would hire many more individuals at a much higher pay scale.

QUESTION 5 (WET SIDE ONLY): Many people have expressed concerns that a wet Boone County would mean a liquor store on every corner and could eventually lead to bars, night clubs, and a saturation of these businesses in the area. If the county were to go wet, what would be your proposal to help eliminate these concerns?

WET SIDE RESPONSE: When Boone County goes wet the Package liquor licenses are limited by population. We should be granted 9 package licenses county wide. I am sure they would be spread out to serve all areas of Boone County along with ones positioned to serve the neighboring dry counties. Hardly one on every corner. As far as bars and night clubs, they could be regulated by city ordinance. In some cities they require full food service with minimum seating requirements and 50% to 70%  of sales be in food. There could also be additional city taxes imposed on the sale of drinks and/or package sales similar to our existing restaurant and hotel tax. These new taxes might be earmarked for emergency services. With the additional revenue perhaps we could pay our city employees enough to keep them from leaving and going to neighboring counties that can pay more.

QUESTION 5 (DRY SIDE ONLY): Many believe that the argument of wet versus dry should just be placed on the ballot for the people of Boone County to vote either for or against. Why would you be opposed to this issue just making it to the ballot?

DRY SIDE RESPONSE: Some want to insinuate that the “dry” side is denying them their democratic constitutional right to vote on this issue. The first phase of the democratic process in adding any ballot initiative to the ballot is obtaining enough signatures to place the issue on the ballot.

If the dry side is successful in defeating the proposed ballot initiative in the first phase of the overall process, that is neither illegal nor undemocratic but rather a normal allowed part of the overall democratic process. Should the wet side be successful in obtaining the needed signatures to place the issue on the ballot then we enter the second phase of the process and the issue will be placed on the ballot.