Citizens say 'yes' to propositions on streets, alcohol
By JIMMY GALVAN Editor

And the voters said "yes" to all three Jasper propositions on the ballot Saturday.

Jasper voters approved all three propositions on the ballot Saturday including two that will allow the sale of beer and wine in grocery stores and convenience stores and mixed beverages at restaurants in the city limits.

Voters also approved a measure that would reduce the Jasper Economic Development Corporation's budget by one-half and dedicate that money to the repair of streets in Jasper.

For the alcohol propositions, the victories were by the slimmest of margins and by far the closest races of the night.

When early voting numbers were announced, Proposition 1 led by a 354- 317 margin. Proposition 1 allows citizens to vote for or against "the legal sale of beer and wine for offpremise consumption only." By state law this will not allow packaged liquor sales or liquor stores in Jasper.

When the final numbers were announced, the proposition passed by a 497-456 margin or 52.15 percent of the vote to 47.85 percent of the vote.

"This election is about economics not morals," stated Joe Lopez, Treasurer of the Jasper Citizens for Better Business.

"Grocery stores report that for every $1 they lose in beer and wine sales they lose an additional $3 in general sales. Depending on size and location, this can be as much as $25,000 to $150,000 per week in additional sales. We have major grocery store chains in Jasper and we need to keep that money here helping pay for our roads, law enforcement and fire departments," stated retired teacher, John Matthews.

Proposition 2, which would allow restaurants to sell mixed drinks, led 368- 288 when early voting numbers were posted. When the final numbers were announced, the proposition passed 522 or 56.13 percent of the vote to 408, 43.87 percent of the vote.

"With two major grocery stores and numerous convenience stores conservative estimates are that Jasper is losing $150,000 per week in retail sales or $7.8 million dollars a year," stated John Hatch, a Partner with Texas Petition Strategies who company has conducted over 120 petition efforts in Texas. "That is an estimated $80,000 to $100,000 per year in sales tax revenue and even more with property tax revenue."

The final proposition that was passed by Jasper voters dealt with the reducing of the JEDCO budget by half. When early voting numbers were announced, the yes vote on the proposition led comfortably 418-200. When the final numbers were posted, the proposition easily passed 580-310.

This proposition had long been argued about town in that economic development would be hurt by the passing of this proposition.

"The way I look at it, if we get the streets looking better and in better shape that will help economic development," said Jasper Mayor David Barber. "People come into town, thinking about moving their business here and they get their teeth jarred just driving down our streets. It doesn't make a good impression."

Others argued that the cutting of JEDCO's budget would hurt the organization and cause it to fail by not meeting its financial obligations.

"(City staff) made out a 10-year plan for JEDCO and in that plan we have JEDCO meeting all its obligations and still have some money to work with," Barber said.