Tomorrow the citizens of Ruston will have the opportunity to vote on changes governing the sale of alcohol. This was last addressed in 1973. This has been made possible by LINCPAC, a group of citizens concerned with the economic development of Ruston and Lincoln Parish. The outcome they desire is to change the law so that restaurants will be allowed to serve wine and mixed drinks. To put this on the ballot, Louisiana law requires that not only the restaurant issue be addressed, but also the issue of current laws already regulating beer sales as well as the issue of adding bars and package stores to the mix. LINCPAC would have preferred to address the issue of restaurants only but the law would not allow it to be presented to the voters in that manner. This will be placed on the ballot under the title of City of Ruston Propositions, with five propositions presented, each passing or failing independently of one another. Here is a breakdown of the propositions, what they mean in plain english, the effect of a yes or no vote and the requested vote by LINCPAC to give restaurants only the ability to serve wine and mixed drinks.
1. Shall the sale of beverages of alcoholic content containing not more than six percent alcohol by volume be permitted by package only and not for consumption on the premises in Ruston, Louisiana?
This allows beer sales by convenience stores , etc. This is currently legal in Ruston. A YES vote changes nothing. A NO vote stops beer sales by convenience stores, grocers, etc. PLEASE VOTE YES ON #1
2. Shall the sale of beverages of alcoholic content containing not more than six percent alcohol by volume for consumption on the premises be permitted in Ruston, Louisiana?
This allows beer sales by restaurants and bars. This is currently legal in Ruston. A YES vote changes nothing. A NO vote stops beer sales by restaurants and bars. PLEASE VOTE YES ON #2
3. Shall the sale of beverage alcohol containing one half of one percent alcohol by volume and above for consumption on the premises be permitted in Ruston, Louisiana?
This would allow bars to sell wine and liquor. This is not currently legal in Ruston. A NO vote changes nothing. A yes vote would allow bars to sell wine and liquor. PLEASE VOTE NO.ON #3
4. Shall the sale of beverages of alcoholic content containing one half of one percent alcohol by volume and above be permitted by package only and not for consumption on the premises in Ruston, Louisiana?
This would allow package stores, grocers, etc. to sell wine and liquor. This is not currently legal in Ruston. A NO vote changes nothing. A yes vote would allow stores to sell liquor. PLEASE VOTE NO.ON #4
5. Shall the sale of beverages of high and low alcoholic content be permitted only on the premises of restaurant establishments which have been issued an "R" permit as defined by law in Ruston, Louisiana?
This will allow RESTAURANTS ONLY to sell wine & mixed drinks. This is the only change proposed by referendum supporters. PLEASE VOTE YES ON #5.
An active faction is attempting to seize this opportunity to vote all alcohol sales out of Ruston. Unfortunately, voting no on all five propositions, the position advocated by those opposed to the referendum, will more affectively vote the control of alcohol out of the jurisdiction of Ruston. Alcohol will still be present, available and in use, just as it was when the Lord turned water into wine.
