Sherwood and Jacksonville city councils have both set a Nov. 14 election on an ordinance that would allow serving alcohol by the drink in restaurants.
The referendum, which will be mostly paid for by Pulaski County, is seen as an economic initiative that would bring new restaurants to the area and let existing ones, such as pizza parlors and others, to add beer, wine and other drinks to their menus.
About 50 percent of Sherwood is dry and 90 percent of Jacksonville is dry due because more than 60 years ago, residents in Gray Township (which straddles both cities) voted the area dry. The township no longer exists and that has created problems in efforts to bring alcohol sales back into the dry sections of Sherwood and Jacksonville.
A commissioned study, issued about four years ago, when the two cities were trying to collect enough signatures to put the issue on the ballot, showed both cities were losing millions of dollars because parts of the cities were dry.
A bill passed by the state legislature last session allowed the two cities to schedule a vote on the issue, but first the boundaries of the defunct township had to be officially determined. To do that, both councils passed ordinances in mid-August asking the Pulaski County Election Commission to identify and give a legal description of the defunct township.
Even though the voting will be on the same day, each precinct will be tallied separately, so there is a chance that only a portion of Jacksonville or Sherwood could become wet.
It’s important to remember this vote would not expand alcohol sales outside restaurants — no new liquor stores or beer sales in grocery or convenience stores. Those are issues that would require separate ballot initiatives with sufficient signatures to put before the voters in dry communities.
North Little Rock’s restaurant row on Warden Road may seem like it has it all, but it’s an eyesore. Jacksonville and Sherwood have lots of potential for development, and both could become dining destinations if done right.
Urban planning should be done smartly so communities don’t appear to be parking lots and neon signs. Other amenities matter.
The supporters’ slogan for the election is Vote for Progress Now, and we agree.
