Quinlan Votes Tuesday On ‘Wet-Dry’ Questions

Quinlan voters will decide two issues related to the sale of alcoholic beverages at Tuesday’s election in addition to 11 proposed constitutional amendments.

Voters in the unincorporated community of Cash will vote on becoming the newest city in the county.

One of the Quinlan questions asks whether or not to allow the sale of beer and wine for off-premises consumption. The other asks whether or not to allow the sale of mixed drinks in restaurants.

Hunt County Elections Administrator Mina Cook said the petition calling the election had been filed by Quinlan Citizens for Economic Growth, Frank Mortada, treasurer. The News attempted to contact Mortada, but a phone call was not returned.

The Tawakoni Ministerial Alliance has advertised against the measures. Alliance President Rev. David Hammond said the group did not believe that it was something that would benefit the community.

Hammond said that statistics showed that the extra costs involved with the sale of beer and wine were higher than any benefits that might be derived from tax revenue.

Walmart Supercenter Manager Steve Tucker said that he did not know whether his store would offer beer and wine if the election went in favor of approval.

The Walmart stores at Greenville, Rockwall and Terrell have sold the beverages after similar elections in those cities passed the measures.

Cade Hohenberger, manager of Brookshire’s, said his store "for a fact would sell" the items if approval was given at the election.

Elections Administrator Cook said only 21 early votes had been cast by the 838 total voters in Quinlan precincts.

She said a total of 248 early votes had been cast in the county, including 14 by mail. Wolfe City is also to vote on "wet-dry" questions.

In addition to deciding whether or not to incorporate into a city, Cash voters will decide its first officials if the incorporation question is supported.

The top voter of three registered candidates would be mayor; the second highest would serve as Commissioner 1; and the third would serve as Commissioner 2. Those candidates are Cody Baise, Jason B. Monroe and Jeramy Williams.

Voting locations will remain open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. See voting location listings.