Chester County Liquor Referendum
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CHESTER COUNTY, Tenn.-Voters in Chester County decided against two big issues on the ballot, Tuesday. Voters in the city of Henderson cast their votes on whether or not to allow package liquor stores to set up shop within city limits and defeated the package store referendum by a vote of 1,044 to 935. The referendum did pass by 288 votes within Chester County. However, the vote is moot according to state law, which does not allow package stores out in the county if it is not legal within city limits. Residents said they were disappointed that the referendum was defeated. “I don’t know what we are going to do. We have got to find a way to bring in more revenue to keep more tax money here,” said resident Tonya Patterson. Residents said it was an uphill battle getting the liquor referendum onto the ballot. Those against the liquor referendum said they fear liquor stores would increase violent crimes and underage drinking. “The influence I’ve seen from these in other places is not what we need in our county, ” said voter Rolland Pack. ” As Christians we need to influence people in the right direction and I’m not sure that those kinds of places and those establishments is good for Henderson.” The last time a liquor referendum was on the ballot in Chester County was 1970, it too was voted down. Those for liquor sales said they are not giving up. “Maybe in four years we’ll try again,” said Patterson. “I’m glad we had a chance it was close. I knew it was going to be close.” The controversial wheel tax increase that was passed by the county commission earlier this summer was also defeated by a vote of 4,933 to 1,320. If it had been approved, the wheel tax in Chester County would have jumped almost $30 dollars from $65.35 to $95.00. County commissioners said the wheel tax increase was offered in exchange for decreasing property taxes. Officials said the revenue would have brought in nearly $400,000 to balance a shortfall in the county’s budget. The budget is currently unbalanced due to loss in revenue from the county’s nursing home. “I don’t think we did a good enough job explaining to folks what the impact would be if we did turn it down, which is another excessive increase on the property tax,” said County Commissioner Joe Melaro. “If everything is taken into account perhaps it would have went the other way it is what it is.” Officials said this will be the second consecutive year where property taxes were significantly raised in Chester County.
