A bill granting resort status to Eupora — which would require a referendum on whether or not to legalize beer and alcohol sales in the city — was awaiting the governor’s signature as of Monday. The city is not a “qualified resort area” under the Mississippi Code. The Eupora Board of Aldermen took up the issue during a special-called meeting June 8. Aldermen unanimously approved a resolution presented to the board by the city attorney defining the process in which a city requests the House of Representatives to declare the city a resort area. The classification of resort status would allow the city of Eupora to allow a vote by the registered voters of Eupora to allow restaurants and convenience stores to sell beer and other alcoholic beverages, the minutes state. The resolution noted that the sale and possession of alcoholic beverages is prohibited in Webster County, which is dry. It cited Whites Creek Lake as being an attraction for fishing and recreation, and to the four-lane U.S. 82 bringing tourists, vacationists and others to the city. The issue was not on the agenda of Monday night’s regular monthly city board meeting. However, Mayor Lamar Dumas announced to those present that that the House and Senate had passed the bill. “It’s on the governor’s desk,” Dumas said. Board attorney Jacqueline Meek, responding to a question, said Rep. Joey Hood had told her earlier Monday that he was “pretty sure” Gov. Tate Reeves would sign the bill. Meek also said that, based upon conversations with Circuit Clerk Sherry Henderson, the referendum most likely won’t be held in conjunction with the countywide general election in November because of logistical problems in doing so. That was discussed as a possibility at the June meeting. Governor signs alcohol possession bill From Press Reports A new law allowing the possession of alcohol in every county in Mississippi was signed into law by Gov. Tate Reeves on June 30, according to published reports. It will go into effect Jan. 1. House Bill 1087, which was sponsored by state Rep. Trey Lamar, R-Senatobia, renounces the prohibition of the possession of alcoholic beverages as the policy of the state. The bill officially makes Mississippi a "wet" state for possession, meaning that all citizens can have beer, light spirits and light wine, no matter the county they live in. HB 1087, while making the entire state wet for possession, will still necessitate a vote to make new counties wet to the sale of alcohol. The bill also eases restrictions related to the transportation of alcoholic beverages. All but 29 counties, including Webster, have voted to become "wet" and thus allow the possession and sale of alcohol. Sources: The Associated Press and the Mississippi Center for Public Policy.
