Troup may follow Winona’s footsteps and become wet

Troup Citizens for Progress, a pro-alcohol sales group, submitted a petition last week legalizing beer and wine within the city limits. Troup is about 18 miles southeast of the University.

This petition calls for “the legal sale of beer and wine for off-premise consumption only, and the legal sale of mixed beverages in restaurants by food-and-beverage certificate holders only.”

City secretary Cheryl Jimerson said the 101 verified signatures on the petition are enough to have an alcohol election. The City Council plans to discuss the election at its Feb. 23 meeting. City officials plan to obtain an interlocal agreement with Smith County to conduct the election on May 8.

Troup city limits fall in both Smith and Cherokee counties. Jimerson said the majority of Troup is located in Smith County, which is why an interlocal agreement with Smith County is needed. Jimerson said the city of Rusk in Cherokee County also is trying to legalize alcohol within its city limits.

Last November the city of Winona voted to have sales of beer, wine, and liquor within city limits. The vote passed and Winona is now a wet city.

Some University students have mixed reactions toward the proposal due to the geographic closeness of Troup. “I don’t care, as long as it’s not Tyler,” said Sarah Goulden, a senior journalism PR major.

Others wish the alcohol would venture closer to home. “I wish it was Tyler,” said Vance Garvey, a senior speech communications major. Whitehouse and Bullard are also petitioning for alcohol sales.