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Sylva leaders may put mixed drinks on ballot
By Justin Goble
Sylva leaders will likely vote tonight (Thursday) to place a mixed drink referendum on May’s primary ballot.
According to Sylva town board member Danny Allen, officials need to vote at this meeting because the local board of elections requires notification within approximately 90 days of an election before a referendum can be added to the ballot.
If town board members decide tonight to bring the issue before voters, Allen said they will be pushing that deadline.
“Lisa Lehman at the board of elections told me that if we approved it, it would be 88 days before the primary,” Allen said. “She told me they could work with that.”
Allen said he had spoken to all board members except one and expects the matter to pass.
Officials are working to get the referendum on the May ballot to avoid having to hold the referendum vote on its own. Town Manager Jay Denton told board members in October that holding a special referendum vote would cost the town between $3,500 and $4,000.
The last time Sylva residents voted on mixed beverage sales – in November 2001 – the measure was struck down by only four votes (224-220).
If the measure is on the May ballot, town leaders expect another close vote. Officials have already speculated that some of the town’s restaurant owners would oppose allowing mixed drinks to be served.
During Sylva officials’ Oct. 20 discussion, Denton said some restaurant owners had voiced concern about the amount of competition mixed beverages would bring into the town.
“I have talked to some restaurant owners who are concerned about chain restaurants having an unfair advantage over them,” Denton later told The Herald. “They have a much larger advertising budget, and could take clients away from local establishments. These are legitimate concerns.”
However, Allen is optimistic about the referendum’s chances if it goes before voters.
“Mixed drinks will bring more revenue into the town,” he said. “It will also help keep taxes from being raised.”
Tonight’s meeting will begin at 7 p.m. at City Hall.
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