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Delta County is wet

This isn’t a weather report, but Delta County is wet. The proposition to legalize the sale of beer and wine for off-premise consumption only in Delta County passed unofficially by a vote of 444 to 413 tonight.

“It passed. It shows that’s what Delta County wanted, and they decided,” said Delta County Judge Jason Murray. “I support it. We won’t likely get rich from it but local businesses will benefit from it.”

This shows Delta County to be progressive and is likely to help those working with the Economic Development Corporation, as well. The county joins the other 195 of the 254 Texas counties to be partially wet.

The race was never a clear cut choice by the voters of Delta County; in fact, it was tied at 207 even early on in the count. As the precincts came in the “for” took a 25 vote lead. The petition started over a year ago by Delta County resident Kathy Mariner with 626 signatures finally came to final outcome as she stood anxiously by to watch as the final numbers were posted on the Delta County Courthouse wall.

“There are negatives and positives to everything,” said Judge Murray. “It is legal to drink it and now it is legal to sell it.” The count will still be canvassed before it can be made official.

For the Cooper Independent School District Board of Trustees election also held tonight, Mandy Freeman was unofficially declared the position of the one unexpired term with 218 votes. Her competitors Monty Hobbs received 91 and Glen Holt with 52. Freeman, who is the Vice President at Guaranty Bank and Trust in Commerce, is currently active in many organizations including Maroon & Gray Foundation, which helps provide scholarships for Cooper students.

The City of Cooper as of 9:15 p.m. Saturday released their unofficial results with incumbent E.J. Cates retaining his position for another term with 95 votes along with Donna Thomason with 68 over Larry Maynard with 66.  Mayor Scotty Stegall received 130 votes in his uncontested race. Mayor Stegall and Councilman Cates have been serving together for 12 years.