W’burg alcohol referendum apparently in the works

Efforts are apparently underway to get an initiative on the May ballot to allow the sale of alcohol in Williamsburg restaurants.
Local resident Keith Brashear confirmed Monday afternoon that he has been helping to circulate a petition that would put the measure on the ballot, which is identical to ones that have passed in Corbin and London in recent years.
Brashear said he didn’t start the effort, and he isn’t sure exactly who did, but that petitions are circulating throughout the community.
The petition, which is being signed by local community members, states, “Pursuant to KRS 242.020 and KRS 242.185 the undersigned constitutionally qualified voters in the City of Williamsburg, Kentucky, hereby petition for election on the issue of whether or not to allow the limited sale of alcoholic beverage in Williamsburg, Kentucky. You are in favor of the sale of alcoholic beverage by the drink in restaurants and dining facilities with a seating capacity of at least 100 people, and that derive at least 70 percent of their gross receipts from the sale of foods.”
In order to get the local initiative on the ballot, organizers must get signatures totaling 25 percent of the people, who voted in the last citywide election.
During the last citywide election in 2004, 1,549 people voted in the Williamsburg mayor’s race.
Brashear said the deadline isn’t until March for the initiative to be filed with the county clerk’s office in time to be placed on the May ballot.
“I know it has been on the ballot several times, and it has not passed. I think the people of Williamsburg would be wise to have it just because of the tax revenue income. With Corbin, and London, and Jellico being able to sell, I think we are just kind of missing the boat by not selling it,” Brashear said. “I don’t think it would hurt Williamsburg to have it. I would like to see it just for tax base purposes.
“I would like to see it pass, but it will be up to the voting public to ultimately decide it. I don’t think it will hurt anything to put it on the ballot that way the voters can decide. I think any kind of decision that is made by the government, should be voted on by the public. Most of it is not, but I think it should be. I think it should be on the ballot, and let the public decide whether or not it’s a thing we should have or not.”
Two other local business people, who are reportedly involved in the effort, declined to comment on the story.