It has come to our attention on more than one occasion that many residents of Neosho are of the understanding that the proposed change to the city charter involving the number of liquor licenses issued in the city will affect the number of restaurants that serve liquor in the city limits.

This is not true.

On Tuesday, the Neosho City Council gave final approval to slot April 8 as the day for residents to decide on city charter revisions, which come in the form of suggestions by an appointed ad-hoc committee.

All of the recommendations will go before voters in a group — except for Recommendation No. 12, which would abolish the requirement that a majority of registered voters must approve an increase in the number of available liquor licenses.

This requirement only pertains to the number of packaged liquor licenses in the city.
It does not, according to a city official, pertain to the number of liquor by the drink licenses awarded to restaurants.

That is a whole different process.

So, the excuse that the reason we do not have a major chain restaurant in Neosho is because “they can’t get a liquor license” does not fly.

We believe the city council made the right decision by not separating out each individual item on the ballot — which would have resulted in an unneeded expense of $5,000.

We also applaud the council for listening to the public, and putting the liquor issue as its own ballot question.

The fate of the city charter recommended changes now rests in the hands of the voters.
If you want your voice to be heard, make sure and go vote April 8.

DAILY NEWS