City, GISD working on beer, wine sales ban near schools

The Graham ISD board of trustees approved and submitted a request to the City of Graham to prohibit alcohol sales within 1,000 feet of any GISD campus Wednesday. The submission will only take effect if the November 2016 ballot measure to allow the legal sale of beer and wine for off-premise consumption is passed and the Graham City Council approves the GISD request. Off-premise sales happen mostly at grocery and convenience stores, where the alcohol purchased cannot be consumed. The district was contacted by Graham City Manager Brandon Anderson who is establishing the ordinance prior to the November vote. He said he did so to have the ordinance in place should the community decide to approve the ballot item. “What the city is working is do is, out in front of the election, to get ordinances in place so they can be proactive,” said GISD Superintendent Sonny Cruse. The Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission prohibits the sale within 300 feet of a public school as a standard. The Graham City Council could extended the limit to 1,000 feet if a request is received from the GISD board, which has now happened. According to Anderson, the 1,000 feet will be measured from the nearest property line to the nearest property line. The city is waiting to measure the 1,000 feet until they speak with their attorney regarding the legal definition of a school campus that would be affected by the ordinance. One concern brought up by board member Stan Peavy was if the softball fields, which are located close to the Young County Arena, would be affected by the 1,000 feet limit. Not only are the softball fields within close proximity to the arena but so is the new 4-H and FFA Feeding Facility. For the rest of this story, pick up a copy of Saturday's Graham Leader, or subscribe to our online edition.