The Hartselle City Council accepted a petition with at least 916 valid signatures from proponents of alcohol sales and called for a wet-dry vote that will be held concurrently with the state general election Nov. 4.

Hartselle businessman Lee Y. Greene Jr., spokesman for the group, resubmitted their petition Wednesday afternoon with 307 additional “cleared” names out of 900 that signed the petition since Sept. 26, when City Clerk/Controller Rita Lee informed him that their petition was 170 names short.

The city returned the petition to Greene and gave the group an additional week to get the additional signatures. The council accepted the petition after Lee verified that they had the 916 signatures needed to call for the vote.

While there was no legal precedent for a group to resubmit a withdrawn petition for a wet-dry election, City Attorney Larry Madison said he determined that the city could accept the original petition with additional signatures.

After discussing the issue with attorneys from other municipalities, the Alabama League of Municipalities general counsel and an attorney from the Alabama Attorney General’s office, Madison believes there is “persuasive authority” to accept a withdrawn petition.

Alcohol opponents, however, believe the petition may be invalid due to a discrepancy in the petition.

Herbert Strathen of Crestline Place said he believes that the petition cannot be accepted because it says “municipal election” not “municipal option election.”

Jeff Johnson, spokesman for Families for a Safe Hartselle, said they are currently reviewing their options on whether they may pursue legal options to void the election.

“I think it is important that the petition did not say ‘municipal option,’” said Johnson, who has moved outside the city since the last election. “It is unprecedented that the group submitted an invalid petition, got it back and resubmitted it with additional names.”

Greene said his side is not concerned about the validity of the petition.

“We’re confident that it is correct,” Greene said. “There is no ambiguity. The people knew what it was when they signed it.”

Gail Puckett of Lockhart Road, which is located outside of the city, brought her Bible to the council meeting to help proclaim that Hartselle doesn’t need to go wet.

“I don’t see where we need alcoholic beverages sold in Hartselle,” Puckett said. “As far as economics, I don’t believe it would benefit Hartselle that much… This is a Christian city. We do not need it. If you do need it, you can go to Decatur, Priceville or Cullman to get it.”

Greene said he believes Hartselle needs the additional revenue.

“Our position is that we need our law enforcement on the streets doing their job, not out looking for a job,” Greene said. “We’ve tried it their way and it hasn’t worked. We’re ready to try something different.”