Barling Voters to Decide on Alcohol Sales in November

City Director Bruce Farrar confirmed Barling residents will vote on alcohol sales in November. People weighed in on the issue Tuesday night.

“It doesn’t need to be sold any place,” said an opponent.

“It’s a good thing so I don’t have to go all the way to Fort Smith,” said Josh Tolliver, a supporter.

“It’ll be a tremendous increase in revenue which we really need,” said Farrar.

Farrar walked every street in Barling collecting signatures. He says they needed 798 to secure a spot on the ballot, but turned in more than 1,000 signatures. Farrar believes alcohol sales will bring restaurants and revenue to the city.

“When you can’t sell alcohol you know they’re not interested,” said Farrar.

Supporters say at least one restaurant in Barling has already agreed to sell alcohol if the issue passes in November.

Opponents believe alcohol will do more harm than good.

“Alcohol has caused too many problems in this world, too many divorces, too many beat wives, too many beat husbands, too many drunk drivers, too many dead kids,” said an opponent, who didn’t want to give her name.

Some worry alcohol sales will increase crime. “The police department would probably love it because they’d make a fortune arresting drunk drivers,” said an opponent.

Election Day is Nov. 6.