Tyler County seeks 'wet' election

Sonja Cowart, owner of Lakeside Variety Store in Dam B, is leading a campaign to get signatures on a petition to legalize alcohol sales in Tyler County.

She had more than a thousand signatures for "The legal sale of beer and wine for off-premise consumption only," but she needs about 2,000. If she reaches her goal, the proposal will go to voters in November elections.

A few years ago there were 75 counties, now down to about 42, depending on how you count wet, dry or some variation on "moist."

Moist is not a legal definition, but it seems to be the common description of counties like Jasper, where you can't buy the beer or wine specials at the grocery store, but you can obtain a membership card and order them or mixed drinks at many local restaurants.

In addition, liquor store sales were legalized for two small sections of Jasper County, Precincts 5 and 6, so that areas like Lake Sam Rayburn can cater to fishermen who expect to buy a sixpack.

Petitions can be signed at Cowart's store at the caution light at Dam B or at Big Bill's video in Woodville. Only registered voters in Tyler County can sign the petition, which is for the sale of beer and wine only in stores only, not hard liquor or mixed drinks, and not in restaurants for consumption on the premises.