Jacksboro council calls for a vote on alcohol sales

At Monday’s meeting, the Jacksboro City Council called for an election to determine whether or not voters in the city want to legalize the sale of alcohol.

The council was presented with a petition filed with the city April 22.

The number of valid signatures of registered city voters required on the petition was 383 which is 35 percent of the number of voters who cast ballots in the last gubernatorial election.

City Manager Mike Smith reported to the council that the petitioner, Wayne Morris, presented 401 valid signatures.

“Staff’s recommendation is to accept the petition,” Smith said. “He reached the threshold to call an election.”

Councilman Joe Mitchell made the motion to accept the petition which Gary Oliver seconded and the remaining members voted unanimously in favor.

Following the petition’s acceptance, Jeff Miller made a motion to call an election for “the legal sale of all alcoholic beverages including mixed beverages” which Melanie Belcher seconded and the action passed with a unanimous vote.

The election will be November 8.

Morris said he is currently in the process of organizing a political action committee called "Citizens for a Better Wetter Jacksboro." The Herald-Gazette is unaware of any organized opposition at this time.