Dear Editor,
Greetings from Barbourville! We wish to encourage you folks as you consider the alcohol vote that comes up for consideration in your community Tuesday. We have been praying earnestly for your city and area as you consider what is best for your future. I just want to write and share some of the lessons learned as we fought and successfully defeated the alcohol referendum in our community.
The critical point to note at this time in the effort to defeat the “wet” vote is the importance of getting all voters out to vote in this election. So many voters have been discouraged from going to the poles because of politics as we have come to know them. However this issue is one that must arouse our sense of citizenship for protecting our community. Pervasive alcohol availability and consumption is a direct threat to the well being of society in general and to our homes and local culture as well. You have done an admirable job of pointing out the relevant facts about the dangers of alcohol. For the most part the drive now on the part of people who are in favor of alcohol on every corner is “taste”. That “taste” will take many to the poles. The hunger for a strong, stable, safe, community must bring more people out to vote!
Barbourville had a very mild day when 45 percent of the registered voters went to the poles and defeated the push for alcohol. Corbin had a miserable wet day when 32 percent of the voters turned out for a loss of less than a hundred votes. Weather may make a difference but I believe resolve is even more important. Folks need to see the seriousness of the matter and understand that their one vote is a huge statement in their love for their community.
The Biblical moral issue is being so misrepresented. When folks, even clergy, speak of alcohol they often leave out the overwhelming testimony of scripture regarding the dangers of alcohol to those who sell (Habakkuk 2:15) as well as those who drink (Prov 20, 23, 31) alcohol. Recently there was a news item on the “beer diet” and the damage that alcohol brings to the lives of those who have tried it.
Concern and love for one another ought to compel us to protect our area from the ravages of alcohol by going to the poles and exercising our right to vote for good things.
Supporting you from 15 miles away,
Rev. Leonard A. Lester
Barbourville
The Big Lie is the "alcohol on every corner" lie... The State regulations only allow 1 outlet for for every 2000 citizens of a jurisdiction.. With a population of 9000 you folks will only be allowed by State Law to have 4 outlet in your entire city... Beer and Wine Lic can be had at restaurants but each and ever such lic must go through both State and Federal review and background checks... Take a look at the town the Writer is writing from in the above letter for a look at the Lies.. Barbourville has one of the worst Meth and Pill problems in the region, It's school system is rated poorest in the nation, The hospital is bankrupt and failing badly.. Barbourville is Losing 2 Million dollars a year from people going to other cities to attend venues and entertainment where it is wet..
Before you Vote take a drive to Barbourville and drive around the Square.. Look in the windows of the buildings around the square.. Almost all have ceilings falling in and are in a bad state of decay.. The Square has become a Lawyer Town Square because there is nothing to do for our locals and we end up with Best and Brightest Leaving, So we are left with a large percentage of the Worst... We have Union College right in our community.. But only 1 in 5,000 graduates choose to stay in the area after graduation..
It is of course Your Citizens Choice but do not listen to Words by Anyone .. Check your neighboring towns and see which are thriving and which are in a slow downward spiral.. Go to KY.Gov and look at the statistics... Ask yourself if you can right now if you wish go find a beer.. If you can then ask yourself would you rather a Seller be required by Law to check ID or rather just allow a bootlegger that also sells drugs to sell that beer to anyone, including your kids... It's Your Choice but just make an educated and Informed choice..
Yes Folks ... Consider Carefully this vote....
Why is this same concern not seen for the rampant drug problem? Meth is far more trouble around here than alcohol will ever be. Why then is it not combated as ferociously as the sale of a legal substance?
Personally I would rather see this effort put forth to stopping the drug problem we're facing.