City wants grocer prosecuted, Mayor aims to rid bootlegging

The Ellis County Press

WILMER – Those selling beer underground are being run out of town, according to actions directed by Mayor Don Hudson.

A Mexican grocery store was recently shut down by the county health department.

Inspectors found refrigerators full of beer and price lists, Hudson said, making note of the recent passage of liquor sales in his city in southern Dallas County.

"There are people in homes on [city streets neighboring the highway] selling beer and I want it stopped, and I want to fully prosecute the [grocery store owners]," Hudson said.

The land the store is located on, according to property record searches with the Dallas Appraisal District, is owned by Billy Wickliffe, who lost his re-election bid on May 10.

Hudson, who has faced questions on his residency, also showed The Ellis County Press his driver’s license and voter registration card to prove he was a resident of the town he serves. He admitted to having a house under construction in Palmer.

Hudson said when the house is completed; he will tender his mayoral resignation.

But in the meantime, he said he will do everything in his power to help rid the city of bootlegging.