Moratorium placed on special alcohol licenses

  • All together in person for the first time since Jamie Hensley and Johnny Scearce were elected in November, the Fannin County Board of Commissioners met in regular session Tuesday, May 18. Shown are, from left, Post One Commissioner Scearce, Chairman Hensley and Post Two Commissioner Glenn Patterson who began the third year of his term.
    All together in person for the first time since Jamie Hensley and Johnny Scearce were elected in November, the Fannin County Board of Commissioners met in regular session Tuesday, May 18. Shown are, from left, Post One Commissioner Scearce, Chairman Hensley and Post Two Commissioner Glenn Patterson who began the third year of his term.

    Everyone was all smiles  to see Post One Commissioner Johnny Scearce in his chair for the first time at the Fannin County Board of Commissioners regular meeting Wednesday, May 25, in which a moratorium regarding the issuance of any Special Event License for alcoholic beverages was debated. 

    There is a provision in the current ordinance that governs the sale of beer and wine, but there is no place in the ordinance about issuing a special use permit or license in the unincorporated areas of Fannin County. 

    The issue is that on the application for the sale of beer and wine there is also an application for a special use permit or license. 

    This came to the attention of County Attorney Lynn Doss when, in December of last year, an individual made an application for a special use permit and the previous commission granted the permit. 

    Now another individual has requested a special use permit for the sale of beer and wine at an upcoming event, creating the need to address the lack of provision in the current ordinance. 

    Board members voted unanimously for a “two meeting” moratorium on the issuing any Special Event License for alcoholic beverages.  

    The moratorium will be revisited Tuesday, June 22, at the regular board meeting.

    During public comments, Henry Grady Mallard of Cutcane Road asked the board “to do something” about what he alleged is a “puppy mill” near his home. He said, “The last commissioner didn’t want to hear anything I had to say.” Mallard said, “It would not be fair to anyone in this county” to not address the issue of animal control. 

    It was noted that the current Animal Control Ordinance is under review and in need of updating. 

    The board also approved an easement request for ingress and egress from Anthony Falls at the intersection where Fire Station 13 on Aska Road and Skylight Drive meet. The easement will not interfere with emergency vehicles entering or leaving the station. 

    During an executive session, personnel, real estate and legal litigation, particularly John F. Moore v. James S. Altman, were discussed but no actions were taken.