Pikeville to consider alcohol sales in town
By Laura Collins
Published in News on July 13, 2009 1:46 PM
The Pikeville Board of Commissioners will hold a special meeting Tuesday night to discuss putting a beer and wine sales resolution on November's ballot.
Town Administrator Kathie Fields said the resolution would only be for off-site sales, which would allow the sale of alcohol in stores in the area, but not restaurants.
"I have no problem with alcohol sales," she said. "It can bring in profits, probably."
Currently, people living in Pikeville have to travel to nearby Fremont or Belfast to buy alcohol, she said.
"Some citizens are concerned it would create more problems in town, but I don't see that happening in Pikeville," she said.
Ms. Fields added that an alcohol sales resolution has been on the ballot at least twice since 1998. It was last on the ballot three years ago and was voted down.
"We're a small bedroom community with a lot of elderly citizens. I think that's more of the reason why it hasn't passed in years."
Pikeville Mayor Herb Sieger said it's likely the resolution was voted down before because of religious beliefs.
It is up for discussion again, Sieger said, because he, along with other commissioners, were approached by area merchants interested in selling alcohol.
Sieger said it's possible the sale of alcohol would increase merchants' business.
"Absolutely it could increase business. It would be good for them and good for the town because it increases tax revenue for the town," he said.
The meeting is at 7 p.m. Tuesday at the Pikeville Community Building. The board will also discuss bank proposals, the town hall and a water line extension contract at the meeting.