McCaysville City Council members said little for nearly two hours before saying “no” to putting liquor by the drink or package on a May ballot.
Sitting in front of a crowded room at city hall, Billy Wayne Chastain, Susan Kiker, Gilita Carter and Larry Collis agreed in a straw poll that they would not allow a vote by citizens. Councilman Jason Woody, who presented the idea, continued his support for a ballot question.
The same council members expressed identical views – four against and one in favor – to consider an amendment to the current alcohol ordinance requested by Police Chief Michael Earley.
Under the current ordinance, a customer can buy a bottle of wine at a restaurant, but must have a drink before leaving. The bottle is opened, a drink poured, and then the bottle is recorked.
Earley encouraged this be changed to allow for straight package sales because it amounted to forcing someone to drink before driving.
The council’s decisions came at the conclusion of a workshop Tuesday, February 24, when most thought the intention was to decide what rules should accompany the sale of liquor.
The majority of the meeting was spent with Woody, Earley and City Attorney Cortney Stuart explaining liquor laws, the difference between by the drink and package sales, and how the city could regulate both. Most of their explanations had to be repeated multiple times as council members repeated each others questions.
One citizen asked how the city would use the revenue from the sale of liquor. Woody was the only one to offer a possibility, noting that grant funds that currently pay for two police officers may not be received again.
At one point, Chastain asked “why” liquor by the drink was being considered.
Woody said it was for the revenue the city would receive and the financial health of the restaurants. He pointed out the restaurants have asked for the ability to sell liquor numerous times.
Sheila Toorgeman, manager of both Burra Burra on the River and Twisted Tomato restaurants, said the restaurants lose numerous customers and in turn employees are harder to keep because patrons walk across the river to Copperhill and get liquor by the drink.
One bar and one restaurant in McCaysville’s twin city offer it.
Not being able to sell liquor is “hurting our business,” Toorgeman said.
Near the conclusion of the meeting, after Woody asked for a “straw poll” of whether or not council members would agree to put the measures on the ballot, Chastain and Collis offered explanations as to why they said “no.”
Chastain referenced a childhood experience, saying he was against alcohol. Collis cited slower reaction time by drivers.
Kiker and Chastain said citizens were against it. This drew a response from one citizen in the audience, “Then if we put it on the ballot, let them vote no.” The council did not respond.
Another citizen urged the council, “Don’t be afraid of the citizens who live here.”
Chastain said he would like to see a straw poll among residents as to whether or not they should be allowed to vote.
Woody then asked the audience how many were residents, and then how many were in favor of voting, with a majority asking for a vote.
Council members did not respond to that straw poll.
However, since only a straw poll could be taken of the council members at the workshop, a vote could still be taken at the upcoming, or future, city council meetings. The next regular meeting is Tuesday, March 10, at 7 p.m. at city hall.