Friday, August 8, 2003
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Friday, August 8, 2003 |
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Senoia council discusses liquor issue By JOHN THOMPSON
If you want to have a margarita with your Mexican food in Senoia, call City Hall. That was the verdict Monday night after restaurant owner Tom Parker asked the City Council to put a liquor-by-the-drink referendum on November's ballot. "I'd like to build at least a two-star restaurant here," Parker said. He added that chain restaurants are not likely to come to the city without the option of being able to serve liquor. Parker's request met with a cool response from Mayor Dianne Cleveland, who instructed him on the correct pronunciation of Senoia (Sen-OY) and also disputed the fact the city may eventually annex the property on Chestlehurst Road where Parker runs Southern Fried Country. "I just think you need to let the people make the decision," Parker said. Councilman Bill Wood said he had been approached by a lot of people asking about liquor by the drink. He asked city attorney Drew Whalen what the deadline would be for getting it on the November ballot. Whalen said you needed to advertise it at least 60 days before the vote, so the City Council would have to decide by September, or wait until the next election in March. "If we're going to do this, I would prefer to have it during a general election when it wouldn't cost us that much more," said Councilman Robert Belisle. Parker said people were already heading out of town to eat and drink and new restaurants would be more convenient and add revenue to the city's tax base. "Three miles is not an inconvenience," said Councilman Pat Tunnell, referring to Peachtree City. Councilman Robert Hannah said you often get more than you bargain for when you bring liquor to town, but said he would have to hear from the public on the issue. The City Council took no action on the request and said they would solicit responses from the public before making a decision.
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