Some call it the "Restaurant Initiative." Some call it "Liquor by the drink." Whatever you call it, this November on Martin's ballot there will be a vote for whether or not to allow city restaurants to serve mixed drinks, wine and other spirits.

As most students, faculty and staff know, Weakley county is a 'dry county' which means that the sale of wine and liquor, either wholesale, by the glass, or mixed, is illegal. Beer is allowed, and that is why it is the only choice in the bars and in the few restaurants that serve it.

The proposed change in law, which was put on the ballot through means of a petition, will allow for restaurants whose gross income from the sale of food (that has been prepared on the premises) makes up 70 percent or more of that restaurants total gross income, to serve alcoholic drinks.

"You can't open a place that serves peanuts and then serve liquor," says Steve Vantrease, the Head of the University Center. Vantrease circulated one of 12 petitions calling for the initiative to be placed on the ballot. "One of the drawbacks to being a student at UTM is the limited entertainment options that we have, including restaurants . . . and limited job opportunities for students."

Economic growth is the main idea behind this proposed change in law, at least for most of its supporters. In Kentucky, the City of Murray passed a similar ordi-nance just over a year ago. They had 30 active restaurant licensees in place when they passed the ordinance and now they have 67. That's over twice as many licenses in a year and many more prospective jobs for students.

While that may not imply that Martin would enjoy such a healthy boom in economy, many people here certainly believe it will. A few unnamed sources have indicated that more than one "large, chain restaurant" is as good as moved to Martin, if the 'Restaurant Initiative' passes.

The final word on whether or not restaurants can begin to serve margaritas, wine and other drinks will be determined in November, on Election Day. Whether or not this is a good move for the city, and the university, will only be known if it passes.

Helgeson is the Editor of The Back Row. This article was re-printed with permission from The Back Row.