CHESTER – A ballot measure to allow for the sale of beer and wine sales within the city of Chester passed with a ratio of 40 in favor and 10 voting against it.
At the regular meeting of the Chester City Council on Monday, Chester Mayor Robert Poynter was glad to share the initial results of the vote.
Pending verification, the votes overwhelmingly allowed alcohol to be sold at the new Dollar General store and other businesses and give the city a little more revenue.
For the local option election, 37 voters took advantage of the early voting period, while 13 turned out on Saturday, May 3, to make their choice on election day.
Poynter has stressed how the measure could help with providing the city with some sales tax revenue, which can be used toward infrastructure needs.
After the unofficial vote totals were released, Poynter released a statement through his Facebook page to thank residents.
“It was the community that asked us to move forward with a vote to allow the Dollar General to sale beer and wine. We work for you, without you it would never have happened. All we did was move forward doing what the community asked us to do. So, thank you, without you, this would not have even been considered,” Poynter wrote.
Poynter noted that a lot of work went into getting the measure before voters, and he thanked Balela Weaver, the Chester city secretary, as well as the Tyler County Clerk’s office for making certain everything was done in an orderly fashion.
Other Business
At Monday’s council meeting, there was substantial discussion of the gas bill to the Chester Gas Company from its provider, Magnum, and the increase from of gas usage from the school. Poynter noted there was a 15-day lag in time between when they read the meter and when Magnum read.
There was no significant problem.
There were three in arrears on gas payments. City secretary Weaver noted that several are making the payments upon which they agreed.
Poynter had revised the Chester City Employee Handbook, and Councilman Bryan Davis had some edits, too, that will be taken up at the next council meeting.
From the last council meeting, and their executive session, the city approved a small raise in salary for their employees.
All financial reports were approved without further ado.
