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Alcohol sales are up to Russell voters
(by Joan Demirjian - August 18, 2010)
Alcohol sales are up to Russell voters
By JOAN DEMIRJIAN
Voters in Russell's Precinct C will decide whether to allow sales of beer, wine and mixed beverages at the Circle K store at 14857 Chillicothe Road (Route 306), just north of Kinsman Road (Route 87).
An application for the ballot issue was made by Mac's Convenience Store LLC, owner of Circle K, by the Aug. 4 deadline to place the issue on the Nov. 2 ballot. Carry-out sales of beer, wine and mixed beverages would be permitted if precinct voters give their approval.
Mac's Convenience Stores LLC owns and operates convenience stores in several states, including Ohio. Based in Indiana, the company bought the Circle K chain in late 2003.
Precinct C in Russell encompasses an area from the northeast corner of Chillicothe and Kinsman roads east to the Newbury line and east from Chillicothe and Fairmount roads to Newbury. It includes the Red Raider and Sleepy Hollow subdivisions.
Resident Judy Wallace, who lives in Precinct C, said she is against changes to the township's ban on alcohol sales. "I want to keep it dry," she said. She does not see the advantages, she said, and there aren't crowds hanging around waiting to buy beer and wine.
A tax deduction for Circle K should be considered for its inability to sell beer and wine, Mrs. Wallace said. "It would be a friendly, neighborly arrangement."
Russell Township Trustee Jim Dickinson, who lives in Precinct C, said he will leave it to the voters. "I'm noncommittal. It doesn't bother me one way or another," he said.
He recalled when the Hillbrook Club off Kinsman Road wanted to serve alcohol but was unsuccessful in gaining voters' support.
Trustee Kristina Port said it is up to the residents to decide the issue. "I don't have an opinion one way or another," she said.
Trustee James Mueller said he doesn't see much difference in buying a package of beer in a neighboring community or at Circle K in Russell. "I have no objections," he said. "Instead of driving to Bainbridge, Chester or Chagrin Falls, you can buy it here."
Former Russell Trustee Christina Livers also lives in Precinct C. She said she would be surprised if it passes, but it is up to the voters. "In my opinion, I think it's an important issue to people, and I think people will come out and vote on it. It's a very personal thing."
She said it would not bother her if beer and wine are sold for carry-out, but it is a community decision. "I'm comfortable with what the community decides," she said.
Russell has not had sales of beer, wine or alcohol since the Prohibition era of the 1920s. Prohibition was repealed in 1933, but Russell remained a dry community.
Russell zoning currently prohibits such sales, but the township zoning commission has been looking at eliminating the ban, along with other amendments, for the past two years.
Russell Police Chief Tim Carroll has said, if the measure passes allowing the sales, he does not anticipate any issues with the store, which is near the police department.
Matters dealing with underage purchase might crop up, he said, but he does not anticipate a problem.
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