Wednesday, August 27, 2003
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Wednesday, August 27, 2003 |
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Tyrone voters to decide on liquor by the drink By MICHAEL BOYLAN
Tyrone residents should get their voting hands ready. When they go to the polls this November they will have an extra issue to weigh in on: Should Tyrone allow liquor by the drink? The town council discussed the issue and approved a motion for the referendum at their meeting last Thursday night before a full house. Parking overflowed to the elementary school across the street as citizens of the town came out to speak in favor or against the possible referendum. To keep the meeting from being absurdly lengthy (though in the end it still went until after 11:30 p.m.), each side was given 15 minutes to deliver its message. The people for the measure spoke first and many of the points were addressed eloquently from resident Linda Conley. Among her arguments for the measure were that she would like to see a desirable cross section of restaurants in Tyrone, such as a Mexican cantina or restaurants like an Applebee's or Paschal's in Peachtree City. She also stated that she would like to see tax dollars stay in Tyrone and to see an increase in the standard of living without relying solely on the taxing of homeowners. In answering religious opposition to the referendum, she stated that not every religion opposed alcohol use. She urged tolerance and respect of all religious beliefs and closed by quoting Ecclesiastes 9:7: "Go, eat your food with gladness, and drink your wine with a joyful heart, for it is now that God favors what you do." Other residents that spoke in favor stated that individuals in the community can decide what is best for them and should have the right to vote on the matter. One woman stated that she would like to see "Tyrone grow and develop like a Peachtree City or a Newnan, not like a Palmetto with a Bojangles and a DQ." Those against the referendum spoke next citing a number of arguments ranging from cart paths not being adequately buffered and therefore dangerous to intoxicated drivers, additional congestion that more restaurants would bring and the possibility of underage drinking. Resident Jimmy Owens talked of friends who owned a day care near a pub and that their parking lot was littered with beer bottles and condoms of promiscuous couples too ashamed to go to a nearby motel. "If it takes a drink to get them here, it will take a drink to get them to stay," stated Owens. "You voted down putting this referendum on the ballot 3-2 in July. Don't be fickle and stick to it." Nancy Nebergall closed the arguments for those against the referendum, stating that it would cost tax funds to put the referendum on the ballot and that Tyrone's teens could work at a restaurant if it didn't serve liquor. She presented the council with studies on impaired driving and underage drinking and urged the council to be different than other cities and towns. "Why does a high-end restaurant have to serve alcohol," she said. "This would give us an opportunity to be creative and not cookie-cutter." She finished by stating, "As a dry town we would be part of the solution to problems and not part of the problem." The council then had their opportunity to weigh in on the measure. Councilman Ray Bogenschutz stated that as a member of the council he tries to serve all the people and respect all their rights. "It is part of the democratic process to have the freedom of choice and to vote." Councilwoman Lisa Richardson echoed Bogenschutz's statement. "I know my personal convictions," said Richardson. "All of you have the right to vote and it is our duty to allow you to do that." Mayor Sheryl Lee was the last to speak on the matter before putting it to a vote before council. "This is one of the hardest things I've come up against in my time on council," Lee said. "The community should be allowed to vote and decide if it passes or not." The council then approved placing the referendum on the November ballot. Councilman Paul Letourneau stressed to the crowd afterwards that any restaurant serving liquor by the drink would have to get at least 55 percent of their sales from food sales, meaning that it would not allow bars and bar-and-grills. Bogenschutz added that if the referendum passes, the ordinance allowing liquor by the drink would probably be the toughest ordinance on the town's books. Residents of Tyrone can now look forward to two months of hearing arguments on both sides of the issue, trying to influence their vote come November. The vote will take place at the First Baptist Church in Tyrone.
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