By John Balch
News-Leader staff
The group seeking to put a “wet-dry” issue up to Howard County voters has pulled the plug on the effort.
Developing Entertainment for Howard County (DEHC) announced last week, “With less than two months remaining before the May 5 deadline, we are unfortunately not where we need to be in terms of signatures to realistically place this issue on the November ballot. After careful consideration, we have come to the difficult conclusion that this effort will not reach the required threshold in time.”
The effort was spearheaded by Jessica Delozier and Gail Hearnsberger.
DEHC began organizing in December 2025 and, according to Delozier, there was “strong encouragement from many people in our community” for the wet-dry effort.
“Studies looking at Howard County’s economic activity estimate show that approximately $19.3 million in consumer spending leaves our county each year in categories like restaurants, retail and alcohol sales. Our goal was simply to give the voters of Howard County the opportunity to decide whether more of that economic activity should stay here at home and help support local businesses, jobs and tax revenue for our community,” according to a DEHC social media post.
“Although this effort will not move forward this year, we have learned a tremendous amount throughout the process. If this conversation returns in the future, the experience gained during this effort will provide a stronger foundation moving forward.”
The group also thanked the business owners, volunteers and supporters “who stepped forward to host petitions, gather signatures, and help start this conservation. Your willingness to support this effort meant a great deal to us.”
