Following citizen-led petition, Deaf Smith County will vote on restaurant alcohol sales

HEREFORD — Deaf Smith County voters will soon decide if restaurants in their county will be allowed to sell alcoholic beverages after a citizen petition to initiate an alcohol election gathered more than a thousand signatures.

After filing a petition with the county clerk's office, organizers had 60 days to gather the 1,038 signatures from registered Deaf Smith County voters needed to trigger a local option election. A similar initiative failed to gather enough petition signatures just a year ago.

The measure will now head to a countywide ballot May 6.

Though sales for off-premise consumption in the county were approved in a 1984 election, restaurants cannot currently sell alcohol for on-premises consumption unless they also require a membership. So, establishments like the Hereford County Club are wet while most restaurants in the city are left high and dry.

"We do have Dakota Steakhouse, but they have to charge an extra fee, so every time you go in, you become a member for that day," said Junie Wagner, director of the Deaf Smith County Chamber of Commerce.

This proposal would drop the membership requirement so long as the business collects at least 54% of its revenue from food sales.

"That's the difference. We're not trying to open bars. We're trying to open restaurants," Wagner said.

Wagner, who is helping lead the citizen efforts, says the initiative is more about business growth and economic development than it is about alcohol.

"It's not about the alcohol. It's about our restaurants and being able to get larger restaurants," Wagner said. "We have not been able to get restaurants like Chili's … or Applebee's or something of that nature. They don't want to come unless they can have their bars."

"And we have some great restaurants here that can do more if they have the capability," she added.

Alcohol elections in Texas are becoming increasingly rare since many counties have voted to ease restrictions over the last two decades. Just five counties in the state remain completely dry, including Roberts and Hemphill counties in the Panhandle.

Kim Leonard, a member of the community's beautification committee who is leading the grassroots campaign in Hereford, said passage of the measure would help modernize Deaf Smith County and align it with its wetter neighbors.

"We are so behind the times, and we've got people here that want to see the community grow," Leonard said. "We're being held back, and this is one of the things that is holding us back from growing to be part of the 21st century."

"We want to stay in Hereford. We don't want to have to go other places (to get a drink)," Wagner added. "We want to make Hereford a place where people want to come and live."

And with no vocal opposition yet, Leonard said she expects a favorable outcome in May.

"There's no reason this shouldn't pass. I really can't see a negative in any of this," Leonard said. "You need to go out and you need to vote and get this taken care of."

This article originally appeared on Amarillo Globe-News: After petition, Deaf Smith County, Hereford will vote on restaurant alcohol sales