Vote for Booze in Neversink?

  |  October 10, 2012

Flickr/Riude

We got an email from the folks behind the wonderful Eureka Market in Neversink (not only does it have great groceries and delicious food, they’ll stock your fridge for you if you’re coming up for the weekend!), about an issue close to the heart, and lips, of residents there. The mission: get residents to the polls to repeal a local law making it a dry town. Read on.

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As the residents of the Town of Neversink go to the polls on November 6, they will be asked to choose whether they will stick with their history as a dry town, or leave behind a local law that has been an albatross to business and local employment, and allow restaurants to serve alcohol. This year a group of citizens, including Jennifer Grimes of Eureka Market & Café in Grahamsville and Friends of Neversink Business, successfully gathered more than the number of signatures required to get on the ballot, and believes this could be the year that puts the YES vote over the top.

“The people I’ve met seem to really embrace the idea that they can foster local employment and enjoy a full service meal in their own town, rather than having to drive twenty minutes just to have a beer with their pizza,” says Grimes. “And like everywhere, jobs is a real issue, one that affects all of us. Each town has its own micro economy, and we’re exporting jobs and revenue to Liberty and Ellenville, all for the sake of some notion that a “dry” town is some kind of positive characteristic. As a real estate broker I can tell you it’s quite the opposite. People expect more amenities in their towns these days, with a local eatery at or near the top of the list. And most people assume a restaurant can serve an adult beverage,” she explains.

The most recent vote took place in 2010, and included allowing restaurants, convenience stores and liquor stores. That vote did not pass. Grimes feels the new option, which would provide for selling in restaurants only, is the magic bullet. “The greatest number of people would benefit from a local restaurant where they can celebrate special occasions, or simply relax with their family over a steak and glass of wine on a Friday night. And voters know how hard it is for their kids to find a local job, so removing the penalty on eateries that want to provide a complete service will certainly increase the size of their staff.”

Email Jennifer Grimes or give her a ring at 845-985-5116 for more info.

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