FARMINGTON -- A committee of local business owners and citizens is initiating a petition drive to gather enough signatures to place the question of whether to allow the sale of alcohol in Farmington on an election ballot.
If enough valid signatures are gathered, the committee is requesting a local option election be held in Farmington on Nov. 8, the date of the general election.
The citizen committee is called Growth for Farmington, according to David Holloway, chairman. Holloway owns Holloway Designs Concierge Jeweler. Others on the committee include Tom Dunn with Shorty's Deli & Meat Market, Kaphernia Xiong with Mandalay Asian Cuisine, Larry Bowden and Brad Brekelbaum with Briar Rose Bakery and Billie Yates, a retired citizen.
On Friday, Holloway submitted a copy of the petition that will be circulated in Farmington to the Washington County Clerk's office, said Becky Lewallen, county clerk.
In a news release issued Monday, Holloway says the petition drive is "aimed at giving local residents more options and promoting growth in the community."
Allowing alcohol sales in Farmington is "not just a matter of convenience for Farmington residents, but it would be a boost to the city's budget and local economy," the release says.
In the news release, Holloway states, "By remaining a 'dry' community in a 'wet' county, we continue to send tax revenue down the road to other cities. Our city could be using that money to bolster important services for our citizens -- like fire and police protection, street and park improvements."
Tommy Cornwell, a member of the board of directors for Farmington Area Chamber of Commerce, said the Chamber board supports having an election on the sale of alcohol in Farmington, but is not taking a stand on the question.
"This is not a vote for alcohol," Cornwell said. "It is a vote to let the people decide if they want it or not."
Dunn said the committee's intent is to give voters the opportunity to make a choice.
"We're not trying to say for or against," Dunn said.
He said he has not made up his mind whether he would sell alcohol at Shorty's if the measure is placed on the ballot and receives voter approval.
"I'm not sure it would be the right fit for the business I have here," Dunn said, but noted others may want the ability to sell alcohol.
The committee has contracted with an organization called Blueprint Action to canvass for signatures, Holloway said Monday. This firm specializes in petition drives and will make sure the campaign follows all regulations and laws, Holloway said. The firm will hire local people to canvass and is already training some employees on gathering signatures.
"I specialize in jewelry," Holloway said. "I'll let the people who specialize in petitions do that."
To date, the committee has received about $10,000 in donations to help with costs of a petition campaign, he said.
Yates said she was asked to serve on the committee as a local citizen.
"I believe that people need a choice," Yates said. "To have the choice, they need to be able to vote on it."
Like others on the committee, Yates said the committee's goal is to get the measure on the ballot, not to take a stand on whether businesses should be allowed to sell alcohol in Farmington.
Lewallen said the group will be required to have signatures from 38 percent of registered voters, as of June 1 to meet the criteria for calling a local option election on the question. As of Feb. 1, there were 4,060 registered voters in Farmington, meaning if that number does not change, the petitions must bear the signatures of 1,543 registered voters.
Petitions would be turned in to the county clerk's office to be verified. Lewallen's office has 10 days to verify signatures. If the committee does not have enough qualified signatures, it will be given additional time to gather more signatures, Lewallen said.
Farmington last had an election on the sale of alcohol on Nov. 2, 2004. Out of 2,228 registered voters at the time, 1,626 cast ballots, with 858 (53 percent) voting against the sale of alcohol and 762 (47 percent) voting in favor of the sale of alcohol.
Holloway said many businesses in Farmington see the benefit of having alcohol sales to attract a higher end type of restaurant and other businesses.
He said he believes people should have the opportunity to be able to vote one way or the other.
"A lot of people living in Farmington now didn't live here when it was voted on (in 2004) and I think they need the opportunity to look at it and vote on it. This is an opportunity to voice your opinion whether you are for or against it," Holloway added.
NW News on 02/07/2016