I would like to start off saying that I am the foreman on the hotel restoration project in downtown Greensburg. Most of you might remember Betty’s Country Kitchen at this location for years. I also want it to be known that Sam and Mimi Moore are my in-laws, but they did not ask me to write this letter. I am writing this because of the fear and misinformation I read in the papers, on the Internet, and hear from people around town. The issue I am speaking of is the local option vote coming up on May 20.
First off, alcohol is already in your community and county. More than likely it never left, even after prohibition. Whether you know it or not, bootleggers have been here for years and are still here. So if you were concerned about kids getting their hands on alcohol that would be the first place to start. Alcohol sold this way is sold to anyone with cash in their hand; I’m sure IDs are not checked. Besides bootleggers, alcohol can be easily obtained within a very short driving distance. I can think of two nearby liquor stores where I am a patron and I frequently see vehicles with Green County tags there.
Also, I never read or heard any news about the drunk driver that hit our big red dumpster that is sitting on Main Street. Does anyone else see the irony in that? How did that person get drunk when there are no alcohol sales in Green County? I can tell you this, that person did not get drunk in the tavern at the Green River House.
I’m curious to know how many people in opposition actually read the Green River Sun article that went into the research about wet/dry counties; research that was done in our own state. The person that did the research was even surprised by the results. The facts are that counties that have gone wet or moist have seen a decrease in DUIs, DUI fatalities, and crime in general. Counties that have gone wet or moist see an increase in jobs and employment. I’m curious about the research the opposition to the local option vote has found that backs up their claims of increased DUIs, crime and broken families.
Some people don’t understand how this could help bring in jobs. Think about this; a businessman comes to town excited to bring in a new business to Green County. The only problem he sees is that the majority of restaurants are fast food and there is no place to take clients out for business meetings over a nice meal and drinks. Not only that, but there is no place to stay the night. When he travels a couple of counties over, he finds nice restaurants and hotels, so why not just put his business there?
This could be a great opportunity for Green County to do something for itself and start to turn things around. I don’t really think that anyone wants to see Greensburg turn into a big city that is bursting at the seams. But something has to be done to help this town survive. If this vote passes, we’re not going to see liquor stores on every corner or drunks lying on the sidewalk. What I do see is life returning to downtown. I see more gift shops, artists and craft studios and regional specialty shops opening up on the square. I see people coming from all over the state and even other parts of the country to spend money here in Greensburg. Some of those people are already coming here, drawn by our history and extensive genealogical records…but they have to stay in other towns to eat, drink and sleep.
Vote YES May 20 for a better Greensburg and a brighter future.

Scott Newton
Campbellsville, Ky.