Friday's Internet Edition, July 04, 2008.
alcohol petition ‘official’
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News editor - Jim Kanzenbach, chairman of the local political action committee working to get the sale of beer and wine on the ballot, said his organization has taken care of the business it had to do to become “official”.
The committee is now working on putting together the funds to hire a professional consultant.
Kanzenbach, who heads Citizens for a Progressive Copperas Cove (CPCC), announced early this week that the PAC has filed with Coryell County and the City of Copperas Cove.
“We’ve taken care of that business, and we’re now collecting the funds to hire a consultant who will conduct a professional, analytical survey of the community to determine the true needs and wants of the populace,” Kanzenbach said.
Kanzenbach said the survey will help the committee determine the different areas of support for the legalized sale of beer and wine in Copperas Cove.
“Right now we are just in the first phase this,” Kanzenbach said. “Right now we are talking to different consultants to better choose on what kind of polls we need to gather.”
Kanzenbach said that the committee will more than likely get an analysis of where covites stand on the issue.
“We haven’t decided on who we are going to use to conduct the polls just yet,” Kanzenbach said. “We have several businesses in mind, but do hope to make a decision in the near future.”
Kanzenbach said the cost for hiring the consultant to conduct the polling should only cost a few thousand dollars.
“We are looking toward businesses that want to bring alcohol sales into Copperas Cove as well as restaurants that may be interested,” Kanzenbach said. “If passed, this would allow them to do away with the unicard system.”
Kanzenbach said that along with getting donations through businesses, the committee would also try and gain monetary support from other citizens.
He was quick to add that only when the issue is on the ballot, will the citizens of the community be able to accurately voice their opinion on the issue.
“No doubt some people will oppose this, or any other alcohol related issue, on religious or moral grounds,” Kanzenbach said. “Those folks are certainly entitled to their beliefs, and their conviction is to be applauded.”
“Only if this issue makes it to the ballot, will everyone have an opportunity to express an opinion.”
Kanzenbach said his organization’s view that the issue of legalizing beer and wine sales in Copperas Cove is neither one of religion or morality.
“This issue is about three things: revenue, safety and convenience,” Kanzenbach said. “It could mean tens, if not hundreds of thousands annually in additional sales tax revenue, and increased safety and convenience because citizens wouldn’t have to drive 15-20 miles to buy beer and wine, and wouldn’t be tempted to drink what they purchase on the way back home,”
Kanzenbach said it is the CPCC’s belief that beer and wine are certainly not new to Texas, and that there are already stuck laws in place governing the sale and use of alcoholic beverages.
“Allowing the sale of beer and wine in Copperas Cove is not going to bring more alcohol into our community. Those who want it are already buying it in neighboring cities and paying sales taxes in those neighboring cities,” he said.
Kanzenbach said that collecting the additional needed revenue from the sales of beer and wine, instead of from homeowners, could result in tens of thousands of dollars in savings to local taxpayers.
Kanzenbach was elected chair of the local political action committee in late May. The organization may be reached for further information at Citizens4Cove@earthlinknet.