Love County OKs sale of alcohol

By Sheila Stogsdill

Published: January 9, 2008

MARIETTA — Love County residents approved a measure allowing the sale of liquor by the drink on Tuesday.

The proposal passed by gaining almost 60 percent of the vote, leaving only Garvin County, which voted down a similar proposal in 2006, as the only county Interstate 35 runs through that doesn't sell alcohol at licensed restaurants' bars.

"We carried every single precinct except one, which we lost by three votes,” said Shaun Jones, Love County Citizens for Progress chairman.

Jones said he believes it is the highest voter turnout for a single-issue election in Love County.

More than 50 percent of the 5,000 registered voters in the county turned out for the vote, Love County Election Board officials said.

Since Oklahoma began allowing bars and restaurants to serve liquor in 1985, 47 of 77 counties now sell liquor by the drink. Beer is not considered an alcoholic beverage in Oklahoma.

"We expect a economic boom by passing the law,” Jones said. "I know there is going to be so many tax dollars rolling into Love County now.”

The extra revenue will benefit schools and police and fire departments, he said.

Love County residents voted no on similar measures in 1985, 1986, 1988 and 1991.

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