Athens Review, Athens, Texas

Breaking News

Local News

Discussion

July 21, 2009

Payne Springs citizens take another shot

Submit third petition to county to try to legalize the sale of alcoholic beverages for off-premises consumption

By Rich Flowers News Editor

A group of Payne Springs citizens are taking a third shot at legalizing alcohol sales in the city.

Henderson County Elections Administrator Denise Hernandez told Commissioners Court Tuesday Payne Springs voters will decide in November on whether to allow the sale of alcoholic beverages for off-premises consumption. The liquor vote will be administered by the Hernandez’s office in conjunction with the State Constitutional Amendment election held on Nov. 3.

Payne Springs voters rejected propositions legalizing the sale of alcohol in November 2006 and May 2008. State law requires at least a 12 month gap between such election, Hernandez said.

She said a petition containing 70 signatures requesting the election has been submitted to her office and approved. The signature total is identical to the number gathered before the 2008 election.

The Texas Election Code requires that the number of signatures on the petition be equal to or greater than 35 percent of the registered voters who participated in the last gubernatorial election. This year 57 signatures were needed to fulfill that requirement.

The liquor proposition was narrowly defeated in 2006 in an election decided only after provisional ballots were counted. Hernandez said provisional ballots are used to record a vote where there is some question in regard to a voter’s eligibility.

The vote on election night stood at 74 in favor and 66 against. The provisional ballots erased the four vote difference and made the final tally 74-66 against.

The May 2008 vote was also fairly close with the proposition falling to defeat by a 100 to 86 margin.

“The issue is revenue,” Payne Springs Mayor Michael McDonald said prior to the 2008 vote. “The cities north and south of Payne Springs are all wet. We lose a lot of revenue by people passing through our city.

McDonald said revenues from liquor sales will supply funds for road maintenance and public safety concerns.

In other action Tuesday, Commissioners:

— approved a revision of the Henderson County Purchasing Policy;

— approved a contract with DenTrust for inmate dental services at the County Jail;

— approved an agreement to assist the City of Poynor with installation of a culvert on Pine Street and

— authorized payment of bills in the amount of $151,485.

Text Only
Local News
  • Fair Park sound system gets AEDC boost

    The Athens Economic Corporation Board took formal action Thursday morning that should result in a stipend of up to $35,000   to match a Ginger Murchison Foundation matching grant for helping finance the Henderson County Regional Fair Park Complex new sound equipment.

    February 9, 2012

  • Scout big boy.JPG Scouts ready to knock doors locally

    Once again Athens will be seeing these Scouts Saturday as they knock on doors to collect food in BSA’s National Scouting for Food Drive. Shown are Tiger Cub Hunter Kaufman and Eagle Scout Michael McCluskey. Also shown is Sierra Kaufman, one of several American Heritage Girls who will be joining the boys in their efforts to collect food.  In the past few years, despite the economy, over 1,000 cans each year have been collected and donated to Henderson County’s Food Pantry.  So when you see these boys and girls in uniform this weekend, open your hearts and help feed the hungry in Henderson County.

    February 9, 2012 3 Photos

  • CROSS ROADS.jpg ‘National Red Wear on Friday’ day in Cross Roads

    It was last Friday that Cross Roads High School staff and students participated in “National Red Wear on Friday.” The first Friday in February was dedicated for heart-disease awareness.

    February 9, 2012 1 Photo

  • Churches to join with community at Cain Center

    Churches from across Henderson County will come together on Saturday, Feb. 11 at the Cain Center in Athens to provide services to all members of the Henderson County community. 
    “This all grew out of the community coming together during the nativity scene controversy in December,” said the Rev. Eric Graham from Sands Springs Baptist Church.

    February 9, 2012

  • HCSO, Trinidad Police arrest man for meth possession

    TRINIDAD – Henderson County deputies and Trinidad police arrested a Henderson County man for possession of a controlled substance Tuesday in this community.

    February 9, 2012

  • Downed airplane located

    The Henderson County Sheriff's Office and Texas Department of Public Safety Game Wardens assisted in locating an plane that went down in Lake Palestine early Thursday. The Department of Public Safety is investigating the crash.

    February 9, 2012

  • City hears presentation for new apartment complex

    The Athens City Council heard a presentation, Wednesday, from a group that hopes to obtain a grant to build an apartment complex in south Athens.
    Jay Oji, of Sphinx Development Corporation, said the 80-unit complex called Robbins Villas would be built on a tract of land where Robbins Road intersects with Loop 7. The affordable housing units would cost about $12 million to construct.

    February 8, 2012

  • 2-8 Coach Johnston.jpg Coaches tell Kiwanis about programs

    Two of Trinity Valley Community College’s newest coaches spoke to the Athens Kiwanis Tuesday at the Country Club.
    Trinity Valley Community College Head Softball Coach Ashley Johnston, and Volleyball Coach Tosha Spain, also head up two of the newest programs on campus.

    February 8, 2012 2 Photos

  • Adams addresses Chamber

    The Athens Chamber of Commerce brought in Hue Adams Wednesday at its monthly luncheon to remind local business leaders of the finer points of being a leader.

    February 8, 2012

  • Sory.JPG Athens Hornet now flying Hornets

    A former Athens High School student Bryan Sory is now flying FA-18C Hornets, the U.S. Navy’s frontline fighter plane.  Lt. Commander Sory flies for VFA-151, The Vigilantes, based in Lemoore, Calif.  VFA-151 deployed aboard the U.S.S. Lincoln in December, 2011, and is currently flying missions in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, the overarching operation that encompasses, among other things, ongoing counter-terrorism and nation-building efforts in Afghanistan. 

    February 8, 2012 1 Photo