Stanley says ‘yes’ to booze; Hanover remains dry

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This article was published 26/10/2006 (7221 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

You won’t be bellying up to the bar anytime soon in the RM of Hanover, but you may one day be able to in another part of Southern Manitoba’s Bible belt.

Voters in the RM of Stanley Wednesday said “yes” to allowing the issuance of permanent liquor licences, while nearby Hanover voted against it. The two municipalities included the question on Wednesday’s municipal election ballot.

Newly-elected Stanley Reeve Art Petkau said he was one of the 661 people who voted in favour of liquor sales versus 540 who don’t want bars or alcohol-serving restaurants located in their municipality.

“It’s a sign of the times,” said the farmer who owns a feed lot with his brothers in the Pembina Valley RM first settled by Mennonites. “It’s accepted in the urban centres around us.” Retail sales of liquor and temporary liquor permits for special events are allowed, but so far the RM has prohibited permanent licences to serve alcohol.

“Now if the question ever comes up from an establishment that wants to locate in the RM then at least the council will be able to address it,” said Petkau, who doesn’t expect to see a wave of watering holes popping up in the wake of the vote.

“I don’t think we’re looking to see any immediate reaction.”

In Hanover, which was first settled by Mennonites in 1873 and home to communities like Blumenort and Grunthal, the vote was close but with 1,291 for and 1,320 against.

Chief administrative officer Doug Cavers said retail liquor sales are available in the RM at one outlet in Sarto, and temporary liquor licences are issued for special events. What Wednesday’s ballot asked is whether people were in favour of allowing a business or organization to apply for a permanent licence to serve alcohol.

“This would’ve allowed for the sale of alcohol in restaurants,” said Cavers.

carol.sanders@freepress.mb.ca