To the Educated Concerned Citizens of Madison County:
I don’t know how much I can add to Bob Williamson’s letter to the editor. He made some very good points. However, I still hear people making ignorant statements concerning the Wet/Dry issue.
No one “running” Madison Yes is there for financial gain. The fact is, it has been a hard road raising enough money for the signs (that are being stolen), mailings, paperwork, etc. I know! I have been part of this from the beginning. We would like to see Madison prosper. Moving here in 1987, Madison downtown seemed a “growing” city. Today it looks like a pending “ghost town” We love it here and want to see Madison grow.
If we become WET, only two liquor stores will be allowed in Madison County. Hopefully we will get a restaurant or two… like “Cheddars”…good food/great prices! They can do that because a good part of their profit comes from their bar. (you don’t have to drink alcohol, to eat there and enjoy)… Will we get a Cheddars in Madison County? Maybe not. But if this county stays “dry”, you can be guaranteed you will never see that here. We just want to see a nice restaurant or two come in where you can get a glass of wine with your meal, instead of having to drive to Valdosta or Tallahassee to get that.
Someone said being “wet” would not bring in much money. Almost everyone I know here drinks. They go to Georgia or to other counties to get their spirits. I say keep that money here! For those who oppose it, that’s money in the tax coffers that they don’t have to put in themselves!
I saw one of the signs against Madison Yes that stated “Don’t be fooled” and in a letter to the Chamber… “Common sense tells me if intoxicating liquor was more readily available (especially by the drink, No. 2 on the ballot) there would be more impaired drunk drivers on our roads. Sheriff Ben Stewart agrees.” I typed into Google: “more dui in wet counties”. Most feedback read “Dry Counties have higher DUI/DWI related crashes or fatality rates.” “Research has long demonstrated that the existence of dry counties increases alcohol-related automotive accidents and fatalities.” The analysis suggests that residents of dry counties have to drive farther from their homes to consume alcohol, thus increasing impaired driving exposure. One site was even a study from a news channel. When specifically looking at DWI’s, NewsChannel 11′s investigation appears to back up his claim. “Two out of three dry counties we showed you have more DWI’s than the wet or partially wet counties.”
So, who is fooling who? Do you want to protect your loved ones? ESPECIALLY YOUR CHILDREN??? Then vote YES!!
Common sense would suggest …
The bible does not tell us it is a sin to drink. (It does state, however, you should not steal…. for those taking the signs).
Prohibition ended in 1933. It did not work!!! If people want a drink, they will get one. Again, common sense would tell you it is better for them to drive 3 miles for a drink and then home than to drive 30+ miles. …Not to mention, that in a bar (located in Madison County) you would have a greater chance of people you know, who would care enough to get you home without letting you drive impaired!
Madison Yes was formed solely with the intent for economic growth of Madison County! That is why I am involved. I believe this will bring more businesses to Madison. Who wants to start a business in a county that is “behind the times”…. Let’s move forward.
Robert Wieland
