ROCKDALE - Voters here will decide in a May 10 local option election whether endorsing liquor by the drink sales in Rockdale would be “an unnecessary and dangerous move for Rockdale” or a shot in the arm to economic development and future growth.

The Milam County Commissioners Court on Monday accepted the Rockdale Development Board’s petition bearing 478 names asking the court to call a special referendum on a proposal to legalize the sale of alcoholic beverages in licensed businesses. County Judge Frank Summers and Precinct 3 Commissioner Dale Jaecks emphasized that state law directs the court to call the election provided the correct number of petition signatures are certified.

Ken Cooke, Rockdale Development Board president, said the panel decided last year to pursue a liquor by the drink referendum in the city of Rockdale to entice major family type restaurant chains such as Chili’s and Applebee’s. Using the Williamson County city of Taylor as a prototype for growth planning, the development board followed its municipal neighbor’s lead by seeking to get voters to approve the liquor by the drink local option, Cooke said.

“It kind of paves the way” for Rockdale to attract businesses, Cooke said.

“If you get a chain restaurant that sells mixed drinks looking at your market, this has to be in place first. This area is going to continue to grow little by little and one day those restaurants may consider setting up shop here,” Cooke said.

Rockdale Chamber of Commerce President Denice Doss agreed.

“We know it would be good for economic development because we are looking at the future to bring in Applebee’s, and Chili’s, that would look at this before they would consider coming to our community,” Mrs. Doss said.

But not everyone agrees with the concept. While there is not yet an organized group, Dr. David Gonnella, Landmark Missionary Baptist Church pastor, hopes to see an effort organized through other Baptist congregations in Rockdale.

“Liquor by the drink is an unnecessary and dangerous move for Rockdale, unnecessary to the growth and stability of Rockdale and dangerous to the safety of our citizens. It is a risk we do not need to take,” Gonnella said.

Gonnella, who described himself as “a Bible-believing Baptist” said he takes seriously the command of abstinence from intoxicants outlined in Proverbs 23:31.

Aside from his religious beliefs, Gonnella opposes the measure because “Liquor by the drink exposes the people of Rockdale to increased danger from alcohol-impaired drivers. It stands to reason that if people drive to an establishment, then drink hard liquor or mixed drinks, that they will then drive home. It is the drive home, or to the next establishment serving hard liquor, that concerns me.”

Cooke said he respects Gonnella’s views, but the Rockdale Development Board’s decision is based on economic development.

“This is just trying to bring more jobs and businesses to Rockdale,” Cooke said.

Rockdale is already growing, Gonnella argued, and fine family restaurant chains exist that do not serve liquor.

Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission public information officer Carolyn Beck said 72 retail outlets in Milam County are licensed to sell alcoholic beverages, but none have been voter authorized through local option elections to serve alcoholic beverages other than beer or wine for on-premises consumption. Two private clubs, The Coal Mine in Cameron and The Piano Bar in Rockdale, may serve liquor and mixed drinks to their members.

The unincorporated community of Gause in East Milam County is the only “dry” entity in Milam County. Rockdale, Cameron, Buckholts and half of Thorndale have businesses licensed to sell beer and wine for on or off premises consumption, while these entities plus Milano, Pettibone and Maysfield have stores licensed to sell beer for off premises consumption.

All mixed beverage and private club permit holders remit to the state comptroller 14 percent gross receipts tax on mixed beverage sales each month.

Following each end of each calendar quarter, 10.7143 percent of the tax paid is allocated to the county where the business is located, another 10.7143 allocated to the city and the remaining goes to the state general revenue fund.

In Rockdale, gross receipt taxes collected from The Piano Bar generated $297 for that municipality last year, while The Coal Mine’s owner paid $2,004 in 2007 that was channeled to Cameron from the comptroller’s office.

Revenue would be a bonus to new businesses coming to Rockdale providing jobs and tax revenue, Cooke said.

“We have a lot of fast foods here and not many options beyond that for eating out,” Cooke said. “That is what we are trying to get.”

The Chamber is called regularly by restaurants planning for five years in the future wanting to know if Rockdale is authorized to sell mixed drinks, Cooke said.

The Chamber wants to be prepared for when growth does come, Mrs. Doss added.

“I think this is a proactive stand of ‘let’s get some of these things in place so once those requests start coming in, we are ready.’ This is where we all began, and basically this is the reason it was orchestrated in the first place.”