Panel Takes On Wet-Dry Issue
Last updated Thursday, September 15, 2005 10:09 PM CDT in Front
By John T. Anderson
The Morning News
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BENTONVILLE -- A panel that included a prosecutor, a police chief and the head of a substance abuse facility had few discouraging words Thursday when questioned on the prospect of a wet Benton County.
Bill Adams, the Benton County justice of the peace who is spearheading the drive to bring the wet-dry issue to a vote, guaranteed his group would collect the signatures necessary to place the question on a ballot.
"They (petitioners) are going to get it," Adams told the 30 or so people who attended the panel discussion sponsored League of Women Voters of Benton County panel.
The seven-person panel answered questions submitted by the audience. The discussion, held at the Bentonville Police Station, was moderated by Don Elkins of KNWA.
Bentonville Police Chief James Allen said it is difficult to predict what wet status would mean for the county.
"It's hard to say," Allen said, in response to a question on the impact of selling packaged alcohol. "I think it is a toss up ... on what we will get."
He said alcohol close at hand may mean more drinking but it might be offset by the fact people will not be forced to drive to Missouri liquor stores or Washington County for such purchases.
Prosecuting Attorney Robin Green said she had no specific misgivings.
"I really do not take one position over another," Green said.
Kristin Pawlik, an attorney, said she was "not convinced the DWI rate will go up" if the county votes itself wet.
Elkins pointedly asked Larry Counts, director of Decision Point, a substance abuse facility, if wet status would harm the county.
"There are a lot of folks out there who drive responsibly," Counts said. "I am certainly not taking a position one way or another. ... I support responsible behavior."
Jeff Collins of the University of Arkansas School of Business, alluded to the possible social downside of alcohol close at hand but emphasized the county is experiencing "tax leakage" to other counties in Arkansas and Missouri. He said the lack of social amenities, coupled with the state's sales tax burden, may hurt Benton County infrastructure-building abilities in the future.
"We beg people to go to Missouri to spend their dollars," Collins said.
Adams said his group has collected about 12,000 signatures on petitions. Just more than 34,000 signatures are necessary to place the issue on the ballot.
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