Oconee County, GA Politics

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,...

The inexcusable repeat referendum on liquor by the drink sales in maybe two or three restaurants locally advance voting began and as a proper illustration of the sheer lunacy in voting for the same words in consecutive elections, no one showed up in the first day of early voting for the March 17th election. Unfortunately this also provides ammunition for those wanting to eliminate or otherwise reduce the advance voting period, something that has always appeared to be a better advantage for well organized campaigns and typically Democratic candidates. I will saunter down to Water Street and vote in favor of liquor by the drink in protest only because it is an undue burden to expect the voting populace to make repeat approval of the same words. I hope the election remains pro forma, and the referendum will pass as it did before. But in small special elections, anything can happen, so if you want a gin and tonic at Girasoles, you better go vote to pass the liquor by the drink distille...

It's no small coincidence that Watkinsville voters will be green with envy on St. Patrick's Day March 17, 2015 of those who do not have to vote AGAIN for a distilled spirits referendum despite having passed it on the last General Election.  For that be the day laddie that the voters will flock down to City Hall or the Board of Elections or possibly also the Government Annex to vote again on something that passed by a 2-to-1 margin in these very parts once again.  The city attorney attempted to alleviate my concerns unsuccessfully, and the city council voted 5-0 to approve the special election March 17 with advance voting as well at the Board of Elections office. Far be it from me to suggest someone on the city council make a motion to adopt that which already passed in the same contiguous county, and abide by the voters previous sentiments, and having to burden them to rubber stamp that which has already been decided, and please take concrete steps to make sure...