Petition seeks alcohol sales in Berea

BEREA, Ky. (AP) — A Kentucky mayor in a mostly dry community is asking residents to sign a petition that seeks a vote on allowing alcohol sales in restaurants.

Berea Mayor Steven Connelly told the Lexington Herald-Leader (http://bit.ly/19JaZ9C) that the effort, if successful, would help the economy. Berea is dry except for the historic Boone Tavern, which started selling alcohol last year.

The measure has opponents, including the Rev. Kenny Davis Jr., who is pastor of Bethel Baptist Church. He says alcohol sales might benefit the economy, but it also has the potential to cause social problems.

If there are enough signatures on petitions, officials in Madison County could hold a local-option election on the issue in September.

The city began sending petition-drive letters, fact sheets and signature cards out to residents last week.

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Information from: Lexington Herald-Leader, http://www.kentucky.com

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