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News
City hears support for beer, wine
BY DUB JOINER, STAFF WRITER
Thursday, August 21, 2008 4:32 PM CDT
News Observer photo/Dub Joiner
Sarah Auman was one of several downtown business operators who spoke in favor of the city of Blue Ridge allowing pouring licenses for serving beer and wine.
News Observer photo/Dub Joiner
Jerry Rice, left, was one of the those who spoke against a beer and wine pouring license being allowed in Blue Ridge. Most of the 30 people who spoke at the meeting favored the license.
Of those who attended, 15 people voiced their feelings and only two of the 15 said they were opposed to allowing pouring licenses.
All the others who spoke favored changing the ordinance to offer the licenses.
Those who spoke in favor of licenses said economics - getting more money for the city - is the main reason.
A show of hands following the meeting, which lasted less than an hour, indicated that of those who attended seven were residents of Blue Ridge, while 10 or more of the attendees owned or operated businesses in downtown Blue Ridge.
Jerry Rice of Morganton was the first to speak in opposition to the change. His opposition centered on religious feelings.
He said the citizens voted in a referendum last year not to have it, therefore it should be a closed issue.
He encouraged the cities and county to give new businesses a five-year tax break to establish here.
During his comments, he asked each council member if they were a Christian, and each said they were. He then said the council should all vote against a pouring license.
Don Miller, a city resident, also opposed the license. He said the county voted it down and he didn’t want to see people walking around in the city carrying beer and wine.
“I can’t see why it is important to drink in public,” Miller said, “therefore, I think the council should vote no.”
Sarah Verner of the Blue Ridge Mountains Arts Association spoke in favor of the license and suggested that, for the prosperity of the community, the city should move into the 21st century by enacting the change.
“I also resent anyone telling me that I cannot have a drink if I desire one,” Verner said.
She said the community is losing a lot of revenue because it is going to Gilmer County where it is legal to serve beer and wine.
“Our town needs the revenue that’s going to other counties,” Verner said.
Past Blue Ridge Downtown Business Association President Sarah Auman said the decision has nothing to do with religion and everything to do with economics.
“We don’t have a Levi Strauss or other large employer anymore,” Auman said. “They have been replaced by small businesses who want to live here. We don’t want hard liquor, only beer and wine that can be served in our restaurants to adults who have a right to make their own decision, with the revenue going to the city. It is sound money.”
She said a lot of people are visiting Blue Ridge, but they are not staying and eating in downtown.
“They are choosing to go elsewhere because they are not finding what they want, and that is restaurants that serve beer and wine,” she said.
Nancy Berns, owner of Hampton Square, said she is tired of seeing revenue that Blue Ridge could be using going to Ellijay and Copperhill.
“I’d like to see our businesses prosper, but I can not see that accidents will be worse because of beer and wine,” Berns said. “I think Blue Ridge is being left behind and losing lots of revenue without beer and wine.”
Chip Cipcic said the city is losing a lot of customers because they are making choices to go to other places to find nice restaurants.
“It’s not a religious issue, but an economic issue,” Cipcic said.
John Soave said the issue, is not about religion, but about what’s good for the community.
He said he did not see people boycotting Ingles and other stores because they sell beer and wine.
“People have a choice and it is the same with restaurants,” Soave said.
Lisa Sisson, who sells real estate, said, “we are losing a lot of sales tax money to Ellijay.”
Michael Brunson said the issue has nothing to do with drinking. “I just want people to survive.”
Bruce Hansen suggested that the city look at the issue from a business standpoint and not make it an emotional issue.
Una Williams asked the council look at the issue toward approving beer and wine because people who come here from other areas are accustomed to it.
Mayor Robert Greene said the city will have another community meeting Monday, Aug. 25, at 10 a.m. to gather comments on the issue.
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