Published: May 12, 2008 05:43 pm            

Liquor vote passes

Rio Vista approves option; Joshua mayor re-elected

By Matt Smith

msmith@trcle.com



RIO VISTA — It failed twice, but the third time proved a charm for liquor sales in Rio Vista. Saturday’s local option election concerned the sale of liquor for off-premise consumption within city limits. The measure narrowly passed by a 118-116 vote.

Brenda Hall, owner of the Beer Hall, a barbecue restaurant in town, led the charge to place the measure on the ballot all three times.

“I’m thrilled beyond words,” Hall said. “We fought three years to get it. I’m going to open a new business, but it’s going to be a business in Rio Vista. And that’s all it is, just a business to bring in revenue for the city.”

Rio Vista convenience stores already sell beer and wine for off-premise consumption. Hall has long said she hopes to convert her restaurant into a liquor store.

Supporters of the measure cited possible sales-tax revenues for the city and argued that Rio Vista residents who drink must presently drive to Fort Worth, Hillsboro or Cresson to buy hard liquor. Opponents cited moral, safety and crime concerns.

One resident opposed to the measure, Marquitta “Cookie” Fowler, also ran for the Place 4 council seat in Rio Vista’s city elections. Fowler said she spent much of Saturday near city hall sitting by a pickup, which was surrounded by signs urging voters to vote against legalizing alcohol sales.

“We’ve prayed and turned it over to God and done all we can,” Fowler said when asked how she thought the vote would go shortly before the polls closed.

The alcohol vote may not have gone Fowler’s way, but she did win her council-seat bid, by one vote. Fowler won the election 113-112 over her opponent, who happened to be Brenda Hall.

The Place 4 incumbent, Councilman Kevin Dollar, initially entered the race but later dropped out.

In the remaining two Rio Vista races both incumbents prevailed. Councilman Johnny Lynn beat challenger Charles Evans by a 116-86 vote in the Place 3 race. Councilman Jay Futrell defeated Kenneth Dickerson by a 134-82 vote in the Place 5 race.

Joshua

Joshua City Council races consisted of two contested and two uncontested competitions.

Mayor Merle Breitenstein secured a second term by defeating challenger Lance Vaden by a vote of 110-38.

In the Place 1 election, Noelyn “Butch” Isom won out over Larry Taylor by a 76-65 vote. Place 1 incumbent, Councilman Ron Martini chose not to seek re-election.

Place 3 and 5 incumbents — councilmen Cameron Smallwood and Tom Tallent — ran unopposed in their respective races.

Joshua voters also approved 10 amendments to the city charter. The amendments include provisions to change mayor and council office terms from two to three years and a provision creating a minimum age of 21 to hold city office.

        

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