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Sshh ... Low-key liquor issue is on Tuesday’s ballot

By JOHN THOMPSON
jthompson@thecitizennews.com

The biggest secret this election season may be found at the bottom of the July 20 ballot.

Fayette County voters will decide next Tuesday if liquor by the drink should be served in the unincorporated county.

“I’m really surprised nobody on either side has done anything,” said Fayette County Commission Chairman Greg Dunn.

In March, the commission voted 3-1-1 to add liquor by the drink to the July primary election.

Commissioners Greg Dunn, Linda Wells and Peter Pfeifer supported the issue, while A.G. VanLandingham voted against it, and Herb Frady abstained.

March’s vote was the second time the issue had been discussed by the commission, and Pfeifer proved to be the swing vote. In January, the commission took no action on the request from John Boykin, who is the CEO at The Palmer Course at Starr’s Mill, the former Whitewater Country Club.

The proposal came back before the board because Boykin, along with representatives from The Italian Oven and Olde Mill Steakhouse, had sent letters to the commission asking them to make a decision.

“We’re just putting it before the voters and staying out of the process,” Dunn said.

Voters in unincorporated Coweta County voted March 2 to allow liquor by the drink, and Tyrone voters approved the issue last fall. All of Fayette’s largest cities currently sell liquor by the drink in restaurants.

Beer and wine sales currently are permitted in the unincorporated areas of Fayette.