Wet-dry case enters day 3

Wet-dry case enters day 3
By Larry Stroud Guard Associate Editor
Published: Wednesday, September 24, 2008

ASH FLAT — The excitement level dropped sharply in day two of a civil trial to determine whether voters get to choose wet or dry in Sharp County this November.

Tuesday, however, Sheriff Dale Weaver and other officers set up a metal detector in front of the courtroom because of a comment a Cave City woman had made on Monday, the first day of the trial. The woman was taken to the sheriff’s office, then released without charges, after being heard saying she would return the following day with a gun.

Weaver said he did not interview the woman himself, but the two officers who did said the woman was known to say things she didn’t mean and was not considered a threat.

The metal detector “door” through which spectators had to walk was set up anyway.

The first day of the trial found the courtroom packed with spectators, most of whom appeared passionate about one side or the other.

Circuit Judge Phil Smith ruled that day that the petitions to get the issue on the general election ballot substantially complied with state laws regarding local option elections. He said part of the structure of the petitions was incorrectly worded but said he did not feel that was a fatal flaw and could be fixed with “judicial directive” concerning the wording on the ballots.

He ruled that the issue will be on the ballot, because those had to be prepared in advance and work had to start on that by Tuesday. However, it remains to be seen whether the votes will be counted.

That depends on the validity of the signatures.

Read the rest of the story here: http://www.guardonline.com/?q=node/48102