Beer and Wine Pouring versus alcohol once again - this time with tangible economic fallout from lack of action by BOC
Oconee County has already lost the DePalma's restaurant slated for the new Market Center at Capital Avenue development near Butler's Crossing thanks to the Board of Commissioners not voting on allowing restaurants to pour beer and wine (such as the case for a year now inside the city limits of the county seat Watkinsville). The Loco's is not coming to the development around the corner and a BBQ restaurant has already closed in the same Mander's Crossing development. But there is a wine store there and a Taco Stand is being built in the old Quick Lube place in front of Butler's Crossing.
So our Board of Commissioners has evidently succumbed to the pressures of the pulpit and congregations versus taking into consideration the economic development of our county. Now I do not condemn our local churches for making their feelings known and petition the government to address their grievances. I have tremendous respect for our houses of worship out Oconee way, be they so many. I wonder how many of their members drive to Athens to eat on the Atlanta Highway.
I still imagine that some sort of tax district exemption will evolve from Butler's Crossing to Jennings Mill to include the 316 corridor will be Oconee County's solution to the growing problem. Has anyone noticed that huge development immediately next to Publix that has remained largely undeveloped? Or perhaps the South End of Bishop Farms Parkway? There are lots of developments languishing locally. I hope this is not a precursor of economic downturn in Northeast Georgia, but is sure does not bode well for the Realtors and Developers in Oconee and Clarke counties.
Does any one remember the "Let us Vote?" movement a few years ago when the most recent referendum failed? Now there seems to be some sort of hand wringing kind of sheepish endorsement of a completely non-binding local vote on beer and wine in local restaurants. Please don't waste our time. Please Chuck Horton and Margaret Hale, bring the beer and wine pouring back up on the agenda for early 2008 for the Oconee County Board of Commissioners.
So our Board of Commissioners has evidently succumbed to the pressures of the pulpit and congregations versus taking into consideration the economic development of our county. Now I do not condemn our local churches for making their feelings known and petition the government to address their grievances. I have tremendous respect for our houses of worship out Oconee way, be they so many. I wonder how many of their members drive to Athens to eat on the Atlanta Highway.
I still imagine that some sort of tax district exemption will evolve from Butler's Crossing to Jennings Mill to include the 316 corridor will be Oconee County's solution to the growing problem. Has anyone noticed that huge development immediately next to Publix that has remained largely undeveloped? Or perhaps the South End of Bishop Farms Parkway? There are lots of developments languishing locally. I hope this is not a precursor of economic downturn in Northeast Georgia, but is sure does not bode well for the Realtors and Developers in Oconee and Clarke counties.
Does any one remember the "Let us Vote?" movement a few years ago when the most recent referendum failed? Now there seems to be some sort of hand wringing kind of sheepish endorsement of a completely non-binding local vote on beer and wine in local restaurants. Please don't waste our time. Please Chuck Horton and Margaret Hale, bring the beer and wine pouring back up on the agenda for early 2008 for the Oconee County Board of Commissioners.
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