A poll commissioned by the Washington County Citizens for Economic Opportunity shows 57% of county residents would vote wet, or to allow the sale of beer, wine, and liquors in Washington County.

The poll was prepared by Gilson Group, Inc of Niceville and conducted by Cherry Communications out of Tallahassee.

Citizens for Economic Opportunity chairperson Sharen Whitaker says her group is made up of about 15 local business people who are tired of losing business to surrounding Bay, Jackson, and Walton Counties.

She says not being a wet county puts Washington County at a disadvantage.

"We are concerned about the economy," says Whitacker. "And of course we want our businesses to grow. We would like our children to be able to stay in the county. So we are looking at all possibilities that would bring income to our county."

The poll also shows that those interviewed spend the majority of their time dining out and shopping outside Washington County.

Whitaker says selling wines and liquor at local stored could help even that out. Currently only beer is allowed to be sold by businesses in Washington, but not on Sunday.

The idea has found resistance in the usual places.

"When I think of alcohol, I associate it with drugs because alcohol is a drug," says Rev. Alcus Brock of the West Florida Baptist Association. "And it causes basically some of the things that harder drugs cause, that we are striving to rid our county of and our country of in fact."

Ted Everett, Executive Director of the Washington County Chamber of Commerce, says the sale of alcohol is a definite factor some businesses look at before deciding where to locate.

"Restaurants do like to have all their options on the table when they come or a place," says Everett. "But ultimately it is about traffic counts."

Everett says the citizen group has not presented the Chamber with their findings as of yet. Whitaker says the results have been shown to the Washington County Commission and will be discussed with local clergy. She says the group is not searching out a public backing on this issue from any public leader.

Whitaker says it is about time Washington County gets caught up with surrounding counties.

"If they have those facilities and businesses available in the county they wouldn't be driving next door and leaving tax dollars in the next county."

Everett says this an issue that cannot be decided over night.

"The issue about wet and dry is one that I think everyone should study," says Everett. "Everyone should make their own opinion, and then go with their feelings."

61% of those polled say they would be willing to sign a petition in support of a wet/dry vote of the people. Only 25% of the county's eligible voters are required to sign petitions in order to force a referendum.

The results of the poll are based on telephone interviews with 301 adults, 18 and older, who have voted at least once in the last 6 years.