Alcohol sales not embraced by all

Phil Riddle

editor@weatherforddemocrat.com

Organizers of the recent petition drive to allow alcohol sales in Weatherford report they have more than enough signatures to call an election on the issue in November.

The group touts increased tax revenues and convenience as reasons to approve the measure.

But there are those who don’t support the measure.

Among them is Bill Gilbert, a retired educator who treasures the city’s atmosphere.

“My wife and I have really enjoyed Weatherford so much,” he said. “It’s so great. I don’t think it would improve if we encourage more alcohol use.”

Gilbert said the issue is very personal for him.

His nephew, a non-drinker, was killed by a drunk driver.

“He was returning from college and was hit by a driver who crossed the median and hit him head on,” Gilbert said. “He burned to death.”

While that would be enough to make most think twice about supporting alcohol consumption, he also cites an instance a few years past at his home in Waco.

It was late at night and he heard a series of crashes. He went outside to find a car load of college-aged men had hit a fence, a curb and a car. The vehicle had blown all four tires before stopping. The passengers, apparently all inebriated, got out to survey the damage.

“One had glass in his eye and didn’t even know it,” Gilbert said, The four then attempted to get back in the car and drive away on the rims.

“That picture comes to my mind when I think of alcohol being offered,” he said.

Gilbert said he has no specific statistics to support his belief, but if alcohol is made legal in Weatherford, he feels more people will drink and many will drink to excess.

“It seems reasonable to me that the more available alcohol is, the more drinking there will be,” he said. “With increased use comes increased problems.”

He admits Weatherford Citizens Moving Forward has done a credible job of creating interest in the issue and making increased tax revenue an issue to draw support.

According to the group, which spearheaded the petition drive, local stores are losing out on sales and local tax entities are missing opportunities for revenue by banning the sale of alcohol in Weatherford.

Ralph Martinez of WCMF reported supermarkets may lose as much as $150,000 per week to stores where alcohol is available.

“Grocery stores report for every dollar lost in beer and wine sales, they lose an additional $3 in general sales,” Martinez said. “We need to keep these monies in Weatherford paying for our roads and infrastructure.”

Gilbert offers his own research as to what allowing the sale of adult beverages in Weatherford might cost.

For instance, national statistics show about 18 million Americans have alcohol abuse problems. In addition, more than 50 percent of all adults have a family history of alcoholism.

Plus, about 25 percent of emergency room visits and one-third of suicides and domestic violence reports are alcohol related.

Admittedly, legalizing alcohol does not necessarily lead to increased incidents of abuse. However, according to the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse, more than $276 billion in losses can be attributed to alcohol and drug abuse. The total includes lost productivity, health care expenses, crime and auto accidents.

In addition, NCADA research shows every American adult pays nearly $1,000 per year for the damages caused by addiction.

Gilbert adds one question to ask before supporting alcohol sales in the November election.

“We have to ask ourselves, ‘are we harming or helping our community?’”