Questions From Our Readers

In an effort to keep the public informed about matters that effect our area, The North Mississippi Herald encourages readers to submit questions via e-mail, U.S. mail or written questions can be dropped off at the office. E-mail your questions to askherald@bellsouth.net or mail them to P.O. Box 648. Each week, questions will be published in the Herald and will also be posted online at www.yalnews.com.

The first question for this week:

How do I get on the meeting agenda for the Water Valley Board of Aldermen?

To be placed on the board’s agenda, you should call City Hall at 473-2431. City Clerk Vivian Snider says to call at least one week before the meeting and state the topic you wish to bring before the board.

The meetings fall on the first Tuesday of each month and are open to the public. The next is on Feb. 5 beginning at 6:30 at City Hall.

Question two:

The YPA made claims that the tax revenue generated from the sale of beer would be significant to both the city and county? Some others that were opposed claimed that the revenue generated would be insignificant, not worthy of consideration in that aspect. Will the Herald follow up and lets its readers know exactly how much the sale of beer has made an impact (for money generated for the city and county.) I would be very interested in knowing the results after one month, three months, six months and 12 months?

Indeed it would be interesting. Unfortunately the state tax commission doesn’t break down sales tax figures by item, according to Kathy Waterbury, director of communications. However, the Herald will publish the monthly sales tax diversion figures for Water Valley, Coffeeville and Oakland as they become available and compare them with the same period last year.

We’ll also be looking at some industry figures as well.  For example, a local business claims to have increased its daily tax deposit by 230 percent.

Question three:

Why all the fuss about selling beer cold? Is there any evidence that selling it hot cuts down on instances of DUI?

There isn’t much formal research to be found on the issue. During debate over hot vs. cold in Missouri, Maj. Roger Yates with the Clay County (Kansas City) Sheriff’s Department said, “We can’t, in all honesty, think it would have any impact whatsoever. Our information, from drivers who’ve been stopped for DUI, is that they were drinking at a friend’s house, at a party, at a bar or a restaurant.”

In 2005, Starkville repealed their “hot only” ordinance. One reason behind the change, according to Starkville Alderman Richard Corey, was a 1998 opinion by the Mississippi attorney general stating that cities have no right to regulate the temperature at which beer is sold. Before being repealed, the ordinance left the city open to lawsuits, he said in an interview.

Technology may make the hot/cold issue moot with the introduction of a self-cooling can later this year. Miller will be the first domestic brewer to utilize Tempra’s self-cooling technology for dropping your drink’s temperature a minimum of 30º F on command.