BY ROGER SMITH
MOUNTAIN CITIZEN
INEZ — Inez residents can vote on ending the prohibition of alcoholic beverage sales within city limits in the Nov. 7 election.
Martin County Sheriff John Kirk placed the public notice of the option in the Oct. 25 newspaper. The notice states a petition for an election signed by qualified voters was filed with the Martin County Clerk in August, containing the question: “Are you in favor of the sale of alcoholic beverages in the City of Inez?”
Martin County Clerk Susie Skyles validated 82 signatures on the petition filed by Inez resident Jennifer Wells in August. With the signatures certified, Martin County Judge/Executive Lon Lafferty signed an order Aug. 15 adding the question to the 2023 General Election ballot.
Inez previously rejected alcoholic beverage sales 71-45 in a special election Dec. 16, 2016.
Less than three months earlier, in September 2016, Warfield voted 67-4 to end the prohibition of alcoholic beverage sales in their city. According to former Mayor of Warfield Ronald Workman, the city would have folded had residents not voted to go wet. The introduction of approximately $2,000 a month in alcohol tax revenue made the difference.
“We were two months behind on most of our bills when we voted to go wet,” Workman said in a 2021 interview.
Following the influx of this revenue, Warfield settled a “huge” electricity bill, caught up on insurance payments and maintained salaries for city workers.
“We are starting to see our way clear,” added Workman. “You have to do what’s necessary to make ends meet and keep the town afloat. Having a workable budget is the key to making that happen.”
Wells, who circulated the petition in Inez, pointed out the economic benefits Warfield has experienced since allowing alcoholic beverage sales. She believes such a move can pave the way for enhanced tourism and increased tax revenue for Inez.
“It’s hard for me to comprehend any reason we wouldn’t want this additional revenue source,” commented Wells. “More businesses and entertainers will be receptive to coming into the community if they can have a venue that caters to their customers and audiences.”
Opponents of alcoholic beverage sales in Inez cite religious reasons and concerns that the measure will boost alcohol addiction and drunken driving.
“Just because it’s being sold doesn’t mean everyone will indulge in alcohol. It certainly doesn’t mean more people will abuse it or go out and drive drunk, just like cigarettes at the gas stations. People who drink are traveling to other cities, counties and even states to purchase it.”
Casey Carver, originally from Bell County and now the pastor at Inez First Baptist Church, wrote in a Facebook post: “I truly believe many people will stand before God in surprise one day that He is real, but the support of this vote will render an extremely vile judgment because you supported a vote that led to the detriment of others.”
Inez resident and retired schoolteacher Mickey McCoy operates his restaurant Metrobilly’s on Nichols Street. He posed his own question regarding beer sales on Facebook: “Does that mean all the non-beer drinkers from Martin County who support a P-town restaurant that pours pints under the same roof where they eat are going to hell for supporting such an establishment? Just wondering.”
