PONTOTOC, Miss.–You will soon be able to buy hard liquor in the City of Pontotoc. If you live there, you had the chance to decide Tuesday and the measure passed, just squeaking through. If you live on the Rankin County side of the Ross Barnett Reservoir, you’ll soon be able to get wine and liquor by the glass.
The argument in favor of liquor sales in what have before been dry counties in Mississippi, has generally been an economic one. Cities have approved the sale of beer, wine and liquor to be able to draw more business, more tourists, and generally to see more money flow.
The argument against has traditionally been that it corrupts a community, promoting a bad element and increasing the risk for more drunk drivers.
Tuesday, both communities chose the economic benefit.
In Pontotoc the vote was close, 854 in favor, 796 against.
In Rankin County, it was a landslide in favor, 1,283 to 283. In that community there will not be bars or liquor stores, at least not under the referendum passed Tuesday. It’s just by the glass, which most of the surrounding communities have already passed.
