Serving Boone, Blowing Rock, Banner Elk, and other towns of the North Carolina High Country | Founded 05-05-05

Booze Comes to Boone

Story by Kathleen McFadden

James Milner, a member of the Boone ABC Task Force, reacts to the passage of the mixed-beverage referendum at the Watauga County Courthouse Tuesday evening. Photos by Kathleen McFadden While only 12.69 percent of Boone’s 11,943 registered voters cast ballots in the mixed-beverage referendum, an overwhelming number of them voted in favor of the ballot initiative, and restaurants in Boone will soon be able to serve cocktails along with dinner.

In unofficial returns, 1,106 voters—73.05 percent—cast ballots in favor of the referendum, and 408—26.95 percent—opposed the measure.

The Watauga County Board of Elections will certify the results of the election at canvass on Tuesday, August 27, at 11:00 a.m. According to Board of Elections Chair Stella Anderson, the board will evaluate ten provisional ballots at canvass to determine if they are valid and then certify the election. “The ten provisionals are enough to affect the totals, but not the outcome,” Anderson said.

James Milner (left) and Skip Sinanian, members of the Boone ABC Task Force, sent text messages to supporters to announce the passage of the mixed-beverage referendum after all precincts had reported Tuesday evening. Skip Sinanian, owner of Boone Saloon and chair of the Boone ABC Task Force that worked to pass the referendum, said, “I’m very pleased. This passed by more than two to one. I think the town wanted to have this.”

Sinanian continued, “It was our intention to let the residents of Boone have a choice, and they have spoken overwhelmingly, ‘Yes.’ Thanks to all who voted pro or con and also to the Town Council for unanimous support of the referendum.”

James Milner, a member of the ABC Task Force, said, “As a group of concerned citizens, we are so pleased with today’s vote. We presented the facts and did a great job informing people with those facts. I am excited to see what this will do for our town and extremely grateful for everyone’s hard work.”

The ballot initiative passed in each of Boone’s eight precincts, and the majority of early and absentee voters voted in favor. A total of 704 ballots were cast early and absentee, with 520 voting in favor and 184 voting in opposition.

The 2008 referendum did not generate the kind of voter turnout that the mixed-beverage referendum in 1993 did. Fifteen years ago, 3,275 Boone voters cast ballots, defeating the initiative by 310 votes. In the 2008 referendum, 1,514 Boone voters cast ballots, not counting the ten provisionals, passing the initiative by 698 votes.

Precinct-by Precinct Results

Here are the unofficial results of the mixed-beverage referendum by precinct: