What a difference 24 hours makes!
On the national level major history was written tonight as America elected it’s first black president. It was just a little over 4 decades ago this country rose to the occasion and black people were given equal rights. How far we have come as a country in 40 years, despite how bad some people would like to think we as country have become as a whole.
President elect Obama was not my choice (neither was McCain), but if he can get done half of what he’s talked about, we can’t help but be in a better condition in 4 years than we are now. I will give him that he’s well spoken, something we haven’t always been able to say about George Bush. He seems quite intelligent, and I expect to see that shine in him.
On a local level big history was made where I live tonight that spans back even further than that. You see, the county I live in is a dry county. For those that don’t know, you can’t buy alcohol in the store or restaurants here, in any shape, form or fashion. It’s illegal. This was voted only two other times in our entire history and struck down both times. On November 13 it will, for the first time ever, be legal to sell alcohol in Brownfield, TX, Terry County. Of course it will take 60-90 days for permits and whatnot, so we won’t be seeing beer at Allsups til after the first of the year probably.
I’m not a big drinker. But I do like an occassional wine cooler or some wine or even a strawberry margarita with some mexican food a couple times a year. I am looking at this from a local economy standpoint. This is a small town at some pretty major crossroads and it’s been dying a slow ugly death for a long time. We have very, very few regular restaurants and half dozen fast food joints. This could bring in some more and better places to eat. It definitely will bring in a few new businesses. Not to mention the large amount of vineyards that have been going in, most of which want to become wineries and sell wine, and now they can! West Texas is actually becoming the state’s new wine country as the climate is ideal for the grapes. Yes, this will be a good thing for us.
In other local news, a man I deeply respect, retired Texas Ranger Larry Gilbreath has won the job of Sheriff of our county after previous failed attempts on the ballet. The man that previously held the job has been there for a long time. I am very happy to see Larry take this. He has a lifetime of experience and you couldn’t meet a nicer man. He’s always respectful of everyone he meets. Good things will come from that.
So yeah, I am excited to see some major changes. Let’s see where they lead… How were things in your neck of the woods?
Well, you can buy booze.. Michigan went further and made it legal to have medical marijauana. That should be an interesting one. I don’t particularly feel it should be illegal (but haven’t and don’t plan on doing it) so I voted for it.
Save some room in our prisons for real criminals.
I am so excited for Brownfield!! Something new need to pass here, no matter what everyone else is saying. We are about to dry up and blow away economically (and literally today!) Don’t know if you read the paper but my husband wrote a pretty good letter to the editor a couple weeks back on this. I’ve heard that United already has their license and coolers ready to go. Just waiting for the go ahead. I am not a big drinker either but a glass of wine or a beer will taste so much better not having to drive all the way to Wolforth!
I won’t comment on the rest of the election, nationally anyways.
Sweet jesus. Beer in Brownfield. Never thought I would see the day!!!
Yeah I noticed that about United too Kristin. I thought it was funny how even before it was official they reworked their entire refrigerated section and left and entire row empty. I was told today the Allsups on Tahoka probably will not be selling alcohol due to the church behind it. Depends on how the city does the official measurements for the ordinance of not being within 300 feet of a church or school.
I was reading all of those letters to the editor btw. There were a few good ones, but most of them were only based in emotion and not fact.
I recall several years ago when Lubbock was contemplating going fully wet in the city limits, Channel 11 did a story where they found a similar sized community and checked out all the statistics that you always hear from the naysayers….like how alcohol related crimes and whatnot will go up. In each case they investigated, all those crimes actually went down. At the very least, this should put the bootleggers out of business here.
Do they allow dancing in Brownfield too?
Dancing is allowed here, but believe it or not, in the little community north of here you have been through, Meadow, it is not allowed. I am serious about that.
So, if you are walking around your yard and do a bit of cabbage patch or a little jig, they throw you in jail? I’m kidding of course. What is the consequence of dancing there? I might have to do a little investigative reporting.