Voters in Spencer County have approved alcohol sales.  2,767 people voted yes and 1,928 others voted no.  A strong turnout was evidence of the strong feelings for and against alcohol sales in Spencer County.

During the voting process there was no apparent animosity as people cast their votes.

Mike Driscoll of the Spencer County Business Association pointed out Tuesday, "We've heard that a Mexican restaurant will move here if we're allowed to sell beer, you know, perhaps a steak house."  Driscoll admits alcohol sales will help his ice business a little.  But Driscoll and other leaders believe the real value will be sit-down restaurants for residents and new attractions to boost tourism in the Taylorsville Lake area.

But James Allen Tipton, who leads SAFE -- Spencer County Alliance for Family Enrichment --supports different priorities.  "We're talking about service-based jobs.  We need jobs in our community, manufacturing jobs, with the kind of pay scale people can support a family on."

Tipton says alcohol sales will just create new community problems and produce few benefits.  Alcohol supporters insist other areas who added beer and wine in restaurants and package liquor stores have reaped economic benefits. 

Both sides have worked hard to get people to the polls but both say, win or lose, they will keep working for a better community.  As Tipton puts it, "We don't hate you. We just disagree with you on this issue and that's the point we've tried to make with this discussion."