Rain Not Only Option to Make Lubbock Wet

 Bud Castilleja, staff writer 

A few months ago, being wet only meant that some form of liquid had been spilled on me. Now, with all the talk and petitioning, that form of liquid becomes alcohol.

For quite some time, Lubbock’s alcohol ordinance has been a controversial matter that has, and will be disputed over and over. The things I would consider when deciding this issue would be the effects of having a dry county versus a wet county.

The effects of Lubbock’s current dry law can be seen in the wallets of anyone who drinks. With gas prices at an all-time high, and the strip being located just outside city limits, people are discouraged to buy beer. It’s far away from home, I have to spend some of my booze money on gas, and it’s just not convenient enough for me, all are reasons and examples of discouragement.

Another effect of Lubbock’s alcohol policy is drunk driving. Sometimes accidents don’t happen because of a drunk driver, but because of a sober driver tearing down the Loop to make it to the strip before it closes. Amarillo has been a wet county for as long as I can remember, but their alcohol fatality rate is lower than Lubbock’s.

Now, there may be some up sides to the dryness of my hometown, but my opinion is in favor of packaged alcohol being sold within city limits.

If Lubbock finally had enough voters to change it’s current law, there would be more money made. With the Marsha Sharp Freeway still under construction, no one would oppose the influx of more money. People would buy more often, because instead of driving so many miles out to the strip, they could drive or even walk to their closest 7-11 for some beer. Also it would benefit the consumer because the retailers would compete viciously over cheaper prices.

Lubbock’s newest slogan is “The Giant Side of Texas”, how big does Lubbock seem after Littlefield officially became a wet county and Lubbock is still as dry as a pair of chapped lips?

This matter is quickly becoming a movement, and there is a web site that backs my opinion in full, www.makelubbockwet.com. On this page you will find the petition that reads “We respectfully request that the County of Lubbock be changed to a wet county; thus permitting the sale of alcohol within city limits to benefit citizen convenience and city revenue.” You should sign it and make me proud.