Town of Neversink

NEVERSINK TAKES ON BOOZE BAN:

It's been 71 years since anybody could buy a cold one in the Town of Neversink.

Could that change?

"It is time to join the 21st century," said Meigan Dean who wants to overturn the seven decades-long ban on alcohol sales in this eastern Sullivan town.

Neversink is among 12 completely "dry" towns in New York.
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In 1935, two years after Prohibition was repealed, Neversinkians vetoed alcohol sales, shutting down the saloon on Main Street. Old-timers say the ban on alcohol sales came after a man stumbled out of the bar in Grahamsville, was run over and killed. The other common explanation is that it was inevitable. Neversink was, and still is, a conservative, farming community with a powerful temperance movement.

Nearly three years ago, Dean opened Cannie D's Corner, a small strip mall that includes a convenience store and gas station. She has failed in the past to get a petition on the ballot. She has 100 signatures and needs another 225 from registered voters for a town vote on Nov. 7.

If history is any indicator, the petition doesn't stand a chance.

In 1970 and 1979, Neversink voters rejected a "go wet" campaign by a 2-1 ratio. Around Neversink, the ban on booze sales is as natural as gobbling apple pie on the Fourth of July.

"Neversink is independent people working hard to create different projects," town historian Carol Smythe said. "My guess is that bringing back beer and alcohol just isn't something people want to do."