News Talk 94.1/AM 1600 Where The Upper Cumberland Talks
Fentress County citizens can decide to revisit the legalization of retail package sales in two years.
County Executive Jimmy Johnson said citizens can petition for the next election to include the referendum.
“It goes to a percentage of ‘for’ votes that the governor got elected by here in the county. It’s like a percentage of that,” Johnson said. “I believe it would probably be around 600 or some voters to get it back on the ballot in 2 years.”
The original referendum would have allowed liquor stores to sell in the county.
Johnson said the citizens of Fentress County may decide to pick up the referendum again.
“They are split so you can’t really tell. Some may change their mind either way,” Johnson said. “It may get defeated again by more, it may pass by more, you really just can’t tell.”
Johnson said the retail package sales referendum fails at a close margin each election.
“We had it two years ago and it failed by like 135 votes or so,” Johnson said. “And then this year it failed by 145 votes. It seems to be right in that range.”
Johnson said the county would receive 1/2 cent per every dollar in tax on the liquor. All permitting and licensure would go through the designated city.
