I just got back from my first "Vote YES" meeting. Man, I've been doing my thing online for the cause for well over a year now, but nothing beats true face-to-face networking. I'd say there were ~25 attendees this evening. The standout was the eloquent, ~80-year-old, WWII vet, George Woodruff. Be sure to catch his funny letter-to-the-editor in the October 11th Fannin Sentinel. Another highlight was the firsthand sightings of the other side stealing our signs; of course the knee-jerk reaction is retribution, but the unanimous conclusion was that, "THOU SHALL NOT STEAL--ever". Nonetheless, many of our signs now have accompanying motion detection security cams volunteering their cheap labor for the cause, and any perpetrators will of course be posted here and elsewhere in full color.

The jest is that we need money & volunteers; there's a shortage of both and it's now just a matter of days before the vote. The temperance movement has a $50,000 war chest that they've amassed by passing the hat in church and reportedly from reaching into the deep pockets of national, faith-based, (tax-exempt!) organizations.

By the way, I've seen with my own eyes that any "Vote YES" donations go straight to signs, banners, buttons, radio airtime, newspaper ads, telemarketing, etc.; this is a well-organized effort and your participation and dollars are needed and will not be wasted. And for all you downtown merchants that think this doesn't affect you, you are wrong. At the very least, it's a true stepping stone to pressuring the city council to conform with Fannin County's new awakening; it simply won't work to begin with a city council ordinance. Cough-up some bucks and some balls, and stand up (at least at that booth on 11/6) for what's best for your business and this community long-term.

I strongly encourage everyone to attend the next meeting; there are only 3 more scheduled, then the vote. Unlike many national votes, every hand, vote and dollar counts on this one. Do you want to wake up to a narrow-margin November 7th defeat wondering if your help could have swayed a few more dozen (like Union County) undecideds?