Your Viewpoint Letters to the Editor

Polish the Jewel
By CHRIS LANIER
Jasper

As a businessperson and as someone who grew up in Jasper, I'd like to offer an observation to my fellow Jasperites as it relates to the "buzz" of alcohol sales within the city limits.

Certainly, Jasper is in dire need of incremental sales tax for many reasons. I don't believe anyone disagrees that our chances of luring some additional chain restaurants does probably weigh on the ability to sell alcoholic beverages to those that wish to partake.

It would also keep some spending dollars within the Jasper area as many of us do the long drive to a Beaumont or Lufkin in pursuit of dining options. Makes economic sense.

What is of concern is what could become of Jasper's "Jewel" status should we pass the version that would permit beer and wine sales at local stores. Many years ago, there was an emphasis not only of our tag line but also the cleanliness of the area.

I've traveled most of North America for years and have seen the ill effects of cities that have failed in their attempt to have a Jewel type appearance. Trash, unkept properties and lack of civic pride in general makes a lot of urban America very unappealing. As a business owner, I now encourage visitors from these same Americas to visit Jasper. Many comment on the simplicity and native beauty of this area (although I try to avoid our unattended areas during my tours with them). The addition of beer stores, even in conjunction with general merchandise sales, will lead to unneeded neon and additional trash around Jasper. Just look at the discarded lottery tickets at your local convenience store as an example of what can be. Those of us living in the Beech Grove area see the reality of tossed alcohol containers and cartons from those that are buying outside of Jasper County, yet feel compelled to use our roadsides as their personal dump.

Let's polish the Jewel, not let it be tossed aside as well.

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