For those who live in Grant County, did you vote today?

 

Will Grant County vote for booze?

 

Noah's Ark and booze don't seem related.

 

But in Grant County, the building of a full-scale replica of the Ark and a lack of hotels and bars has added pressure to the latest attempt to allow full alcohol sales in Grant County.

 

Residents will go to the polls Dec. 22 to decide whether to make Grant County a "wet" county - joining other Northern Kentucky "wet" counties Boone, Kenton and Campbell.

 

Many elected leaders support the measure while others question whether it will increase drunk drivers, spur addiction, and ruin the bucolic feel of the community.

 

It's an economic development issue, said Williamstown Mayor Rick Skinner. Next year the group behind Boone County's Creation Museum will open the Noah's Ark-themed Ark Encounter in Williamstown.

 

While that might not attract a hard-drinking crowd, Skinner wants plenty of hotels in his city to accommodate the anticipated traffic. Hotels in Grant County can't currently sell alcohol.

 

"The time is right because of the economic consequences," Skinner said. "We're in a time where it's proven the "moist vote" didn't hurt Grant County or Williamstown."

 

That description, "moist," refers to the fact that most of the county is dry, save for exceptions in three of Grant County's cities — Williamstown, Dry Ridge and Corinth. During the past several years, all three cities voted for limited alcohol sales.

 

Only five restaurants in the entire county serve alcohol. The law in Grant County limits alcohol sales to restaurants that seat at least 100 people and have 70 percent of the receipts from food. There are no liquor stores, nor is beer sold at convenience stores.

 

The Ark isn't the only factor spurring supporters of alcohol sales in Grant County.

 

Darren Spahr wants more dining options around his home in Dry Ridge. Most restaurants in Grant County are fast food, he said. Main Street in Dry Ridge doesn't have much in the way of entertainment. A gun store, pawn shop, auto parts store and beauty salons surround an "End Grand County prohibition" sign Spahr put in the middle of town.

 

Spahr led the petition this summer that gathered 2,400 signatures to put the measure on the ballot.

 

"If you want to go to the movies or go drive to a nice restaurant, you have to go down to Lexington or up to Northern Kentucky," Spahr said. "In the end, hopefully more amenities will open up here."

 

The issue is more than just about drinking, said Dry Ridge Mayor James Wells. Wells supports it and said he hasn't heard much opposition to alcohol sales.

 

"I think it will bring a tremendous economic benefit to the city," Wells said. "One of the biggest things we hear is 'what do we do to get more restaurants and entertainment?' This is the first step to do that."

Going to vote at lunch. Probably an exercise in futility, though you never know.

Grant Co doesn't seem to be a bible belt kind of county so I'm not sure how the vote will go. They've had time to become accustomed to the limited alcohol sales so it may pass.

Grant Co doesn't seem to be a bible belt kind of county so I'm not sure how the vote will go. They've had time to become accustomed to the limited alcohol sales so it may pass.

 

Don't let our heroin addiction fool you. The churches have a good amount of pull, and today should make that evident. I'm just glad there is a vote being held, regardless of the outcome.

Approve this and there will be rampant prostitution and homelessness will consume the community.

^ And yes, that was meant in jest.

Anyone who turns this down does not want the business community to grow. Grant County is to close to counties that allow the sale. Continuing the ban is futile and just hurts the economy.

I would say there are a fair number of people who would be content with the business community not growing. I imagine it's part of the reason they're living there now.

 

It's always interesting to see how these votes go.

I would say there are a fair number of people who would be content with the business community not growing. I imagine it's part of the reason they're living there now.

 

It's always interesting to see how these votes go.

 

I would hope in this day and age GC is smart enough to pass this. The same amount of people who drink today will drink tomorrow. All this law does is decide where they can buy it.

I love watching wet/dry votes when the preachers and bootleggers stand arm in arm proclaiming the evils of alcohol. :lol:

I love watching wet/dry votes when the preachers and bootleggers stand arm in arm proclaiming the evils of alcohol. :lol:

 

... as their protest plans are being organized one county over at an Applebee's.

 

In fairness, there is a reason this comes up for a vote. Many still oppose it. Just as long as both sides are respectful and don't turn their noses up at the other I am cool with it all.

It wont pass.

Anybody know the results when they voted on this in 2000?

Anybody know the results when they voted on this in 2000?

 

WET OR DRY? VOTE IS DEC. 22 | GrantKY.com

 

This article says the last time they voted on alcohol sales was in 2000.

 

"A county-wide vote on alcohol sales was last held on July 25, 2000. There were 3,553 votes against the county being wet and 1,591 for allowing alcohol sales."

Grant Co doesn't seem to be a bible belt kind of county so I'm not sure how the vote will go. They've had time to become accustomed to the limited alcohol sales so it may pass.

 

Not too long ago, I would've said that not only was Grant County in the Bible belt, they were the buckle. I think right now they've got over 70 churches in the county. That being said, I think that over the past 10-15 years, those in the churches are not as staunch as they were once before.

 

I can see this going either way, but am leaning ever so slightly that it could pass. I don't know that all of the churches are out against it, the way they have in the past...and the fact that Crittenden is made up more and more of people from Boone and Kenton Counties who are used to being able to pick up a 12 pack pretty much wherever they like. (However, the people in Crittenden probably do the majority of their grocery shopping at the Kroger in Walton...so, they can get it there anyway.)