Confusing ballot could hurt general store
Updated: November 5, 2012
CAMARGO -- A mom and pop shop's final hope is now in the hands of voters.
But the owner is afraid a confusing question on the ballot could ruin his chances of staying open.
Thompson's General Store wants to sell alcohol. The Village of Camargo, in Douglas County, has always been dry. But, owners at Thompson's got a petition put on Tuesday's ballot to change that.
The only problem is the wording might put him at a disadvantage. Working behind this counter has been a way of life for Jack Thompson.
"My mom and dad opened the store in 1946," he said. "I was born and raised here. We lived next door to the store in the apartment."
Like most general stores, you can find almost anything you need at Thompson's. But if you're looking for booze you'll have to leave town. That is unless voters make a change.
"I never really thought that I would and if my mother were still alive we still wouldn't be, I know that," joked Thomspon.
He feels the community is on his side, but unfortunately the ballot might be his biggest opponent.
"Glanced through it, and reading it initially, I checked the box yes. And went on to the next page, and thought for a second did I read that right," said voter Doug Dickie.
Take a look at the question. It reads, "shall the sale at retail of alcoholic liquor be prohibited in the Village of Camargo?"
"Went back and re-read it and it was telling me that I had to check no if I wanted to get alcohol sales in Camargo," said Dickie.
Basically, in order to vote yes to selling alcohol you need to check no.
"Our city attorney said it's a state statute that that's the way it has to be written," said Thompson.
"My advice is any time you're voting, make sure you read the fine print," said Dickie.
Or else this local staple might be history.
"I don't want to see it close because the people in town they don't realize how much they would miss it if it was gone."
Two other towns, Stewardson and Beecher City, have a similar ballot question. But Beecher City's is worded differently. It reads "shall the sale of alcohol continue to be prohibited?"
Thompson's General Store wants to sell alcohol. The Village of Camargo, in Douglas County, has always been dry. But, owners at Thompson's got a petition put on Tuesday's ballot to change that.
The only problem is the wording might put him at a disadvantage. Working behind this counter has been a way of life for Jack Thompson.
"My mom and dad opened the store in 1946," he said. "I was born and raised here. We lived next door to the store in the apartment."
Like most general stores, you can find almost anything you need at Thompson's. But if you're looking for booze you'll have to leave town. That is unless voters make a change.
"I never really thought that I would and if my mother were still alive we still wouldn't be, I know that," joked Thomspon.
He feels the community is on his side, but unfortunately the ballot might be his biggest opponent.
"Glanced through it, and reading it initially, I checked the box yes. And went on to the next page, and thought for a second did I read that right," said voter Doug Dickie.
Take a look at the question. It reads, "shall the sale at retail of alcoholic liquor be prohibited in the Village of Camargo?"
"Went back and re-read it and it was telling me that I had to check no if I wanted to get alcohol sales in Camargo," said Dickie.
Basically, in order to vote yes to selling alcohol you need to check no.
"Our city attorney said it's a state statute that that's the way it has to be written," said Thompson.
"My advice is any time you're voting, make sure you read the fine print," said Dickie.
Or else this local staple might be history.
"I don't want to see it close because the people in town they don't realize how much they would miss it if it was gone."
Two other towns, Stewardson and Beecher City, have a similar ballot question. But Beecher City's is worded differently. It reads "shall the sale of alcohol continue to be prohibited?"
