[Stardust]

A vote that would allow packaged alcohol sales in Corbin will likely take place Feb. 21.
Citizens for Economic Progress filed the petition on Dec. 12 at the Whitley County Clerk Kay Schwartz's Office.
Schwartz said Tuesday morning that 544 signatures were certified from the Whitley County side of Corbin, and that Knox County certified 148 signatures.
Schwartz said she has not received the official statistics from Frankfort on the November General Election, but she is sure this is more than enough signatures to place the measure on the ballot.

Kurt Kraus, Chairman of the Citizens for Economic Progress, estimated earlier this month that about 60 verified signatures were needed for the Knox County portion of Corbin and about 350 verified signatures were needed from the Whitley County side of Corbin in order to place the matter on the ballot.
If passed, Corbin would likely be allowed to issue three licenses to stores to sell package liquor of any type. An unlimited number of licenses could be issued to grocery stores, convenient marts and the like for beer sales. Also, restrictions on sales of alcohol at restaurants would become more lax.

Currently, restaurants that sell alcohol must have at least 70 percent of their gross receipts come from food sales. That would drop to 50 percent.
Schwartz planned to present the petition to Whitley County Judge-Executive Pat White Jr. Tuesday afternoon. She will ask him schedule a special election for Feb. 21, but noted that date could change if a Williamsburg alcohol petition is filed in the next few days.

A petition is currently circulating in Williamsburg to place an alcohol referendum on the ballot, which would allow alcohol sales at restaurants that seat at least 100 people, and derive 70 percent of their sales from food purchases.
http://www.thenewsjournal.net/details/57...ly-Feb.-21
Organizers hope to file it before the first of the year.
If the two special elections are held on the same day, it would save the county some money.

For instance, Harp Enterprises, the vendor that sets up the voting machines, could set both machines on the same day rather than make two trips from Lexington.

Also, a technician from Harp Enterprises has to be present on the day of election, which costs about $600 per day.