Wednesday morning quarterback: why the Liquor by the Drink vote passed by double the ratio the last county referendum
Watkinsville restaurants such as Chops & Hops will now have the opportunity to compete with other area restaurants such as Cheddar's, where liquor by the drink has been successfully implemented for more than a few months now in greater Oconee County outside of the Watkinsville city limits.
So far the only complaints I have heard are for the length of time it takes to get a seat at Cheddar's, and perhaps some whining from restaurant owners that have yet to pay the thousand dollar fee to pour liquor by the drink. The City of Watkinsville is expected to replicate that fee structure for a pouring license.
The immediate reason that the March 2015 referendum passed at a ratio twice that of the County results from November 2014 (that included the municipality voters as well) is simply organization. Postcards were sent, yard signs were made and planted in the yards of restaurants and homeowners, interviews were made, news stories filed, blogs were posted, newspapers were read, conversations on both sides of the issue were civil and well discussed, and most importantly, restaurants have closed or moved in a remarkably short time between the referenda, giving tangible proof to voters of what a difference a few eateries can make in the economic vitality of a growing county seat in the most attractive county in the State of Georgia.
Watkinsville is a better town today than it was yesterday, and it will be even better tomorrow. We need to make sure that the city retains its small town charm while cultivating growth and expansion that our infrastructure can handle.
The overwhelming victory of the Liquor by the Drink referendum in the city can be also attributed to the relative transient nature of some housing inside the city limits, with people moving here from Athens and elsewhere where liquor is not that big a deal.
By in large, Watkinsville is a very accepting and accommodating community where black and white people can date and live together, church goers and non-church goers can respect one and other, gay and straight neighbors can wave at one and other, and brown and yellow people are just as welcome to spend their money at Girasoles or Krimson Kafe as they are at Mirko's and Barberitos. We are a much more liberal and progressive community than say, Bishop, or some other small towns.
We are not Madison or Danielsville either. Every small town in Georgia has its own unique flavor and variety.
Watkinsville will not burn down with liquor by the drink, and I really think it is an important step toward economic growth and expansion.
So far the only complaints I have heard are for the length of time it takes to get a seat at Cheddar's, and perhaps some whining from restaurant owners that have yet to pay the thousand dollar fee to pour liquor by the drink. The City of Watkinsville is expected to replicate that fee structure for a pouring license.
The immediate reason that the March 2015 referendum passed at a ratio twice that of the County results from November 2014 (that included the municipality voters as well) is simply organization. Postcards were sent, yard signs were made and planted in the yards of restaurants and homeowners, interviews were made, news stories filed, blogs were posted, newspapers were read, conversations on both sides of the issue were civil and well discussed, and most importantly, restaurants have closed or moved in a remarkably short time between the referenda, giving tangible proof to voters of what a difference a few eateries can make in the economic vitality of a growing county seat in the most attractive county in the State of Georgia.
Watkinsville is a better town today than it was yesterday, and it will be even better tomorrow. We need to make sure that the city retains its small town charm while cultivating growth and expansion that our infrastructure can handle.
The overwhelming victory of the Liquor by the Drink referendum in the city can be also attributed to the relative transient nature of some housing inside the city limits, with people moving here from Athens and elsewhere where liquor is not that big a deal.
By in large, Watkinsville is a very accepting and accommodating community where black and white people can date and live together, church goers and non-church goers can respect one and other, gay and straight neighbors can wave at one and other, and brown and yellow people are just as welcome to spend their money at Girasoles or Krimson Kafe as they are at Mirko's and Barberitos. We are a much more liberal and progressive community than say, Bishop, or some other small towns.
We are not Madison or Danielsville either. Every small town in Georgia has its own unique flavor and variety.
Watkinsville will not burn down with liquor by the drink, and I really think it is an important step toward economic growth and expansion.
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