Trouble Brewing over Possible Hebron Liquor Store Location
By L.P. Phillips
Driving by the small two story house that's for sale on Charles Street in Hebron, you might get the idea it would be quiet place to live. The property sits on nearly two acres of land and there is a quiet neighborhood surrounding. There's a bonus, just one half mile away is Hebron High School.
But the current property owner has bigger ideas and that has the residents rattled.
"I don't want liquor in my front yard!" said Lucy Jernigan, a feisty 88 year old woman who lives a few feet away.
Her fears could play out depending on how the sale goes down. The Majestic Fine Wine and Spirits chain has an option on the property. "We expect to make a decision within the next 30 days." said Chief Executive Officer Kyle Fair.
If Majestic follows through with the idea, it would put a 12 thousand square foot liquor store next to a woman who has not tippled in her lifetime. Others in the neighborhood agree. The prospect of a liquor store in the middle of established homes is jarring, and some wondered where the right to sell alcohol in their small town is coming from.
It ends up a controversial wet-dry election was held in Denton County Justice of the Peace Precinct 2 May 9, 2009. Two Frisco men have already filed suit to overturn the results of the election, contending few residents were aware the matter was up for a vote.
Hebron residents are particularly gored. Ms. Jernigan says their city council didn't mention a single word about the matter until it was over.
Yet two of the councilmen stand to benefit.
It ends up the lot that is up for sale is owned by one of the town's three city councilmen, Joe Everett. A second city councilman, Ron Mabra, is the listing agent. The town's mayor wants no part of the dispute.
Contacted at his Mahill New Mexico home, Everett said nothing is illegal and he has a right to sell the land. "It would be entirely within the law, and it would be within the laws of Hebron." And since Hebron has no zoning laws, there is nothing to vote on. Mabra agrees. "My position on the council, at this point, doesn't have anything to do with the property or my listing on it."
Ms. Jernigan can't say the deal is against the law, but she doesn't like the way it looks. "I just don't think that he should be doing both." she said.
Her pastor, Reverend Ben Mullen, agrees. "Just going on appearances there could be some problems." He also chafes at the notion of locating a liquor store just half a mile from Hebron High School.
But Ms Jernigan's and Mr. Mullen's complaints may be limited to whatever appearances seem out of kilter. Neither the Texas Ethics Commission nor the Denton County District Attorneys office finds any illegal connection between the sitting councilmen, the land deal or the liquor store.
Mr. Fair of Majestic Fine Wines and Spirits notes the chain has 24 stores across North Texas and maintains the company has an excellent reputation for being a good neighbor. He adds the location is more than twice the distance from the high school as the law requires. And Mr. Fair sees no difference between a liquor store locating on the site and a grocery store that sells alcohol.
Making the situation even stickier is the issue of the lawsuit that could force the Denton County Commissioners Court to put the matter to another vote. The Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission has been contacted about the situation, and has been asked to either intervene or refuse to issue liquor licenses until the suit is heard. Experts say if that happens, it could scuttle the whole Hebron matter, anyway.
"Another business would be alright" said Ms. Jernigan, "just not a liquor store."
Weekly Economic Update - 02/08/10
The debt troubles in the Eurozone and the uncertainty permeating OPEC's membership provide plenty to talk about for Charley's chat with Mike in East Texas this week. Also, 50 years of economic history in 90 seconds!
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