The Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax vote will be on extending the tax that is now being collected for education - and has been in place since 1997. Cooper Embry, co-chairman of Citizens for Better Education, said about $20,000 has already been raised to promote passage of the referendum through a campaign called "Good Cents for Education." Embry told members of the Greater Hall Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors that the money is used for promotions - including advertising and yard signs. Red-and-white yard signs were handed out after the meeting as board members exited the civic center.
LIQUOR VOTE
One chamber official, Denise Deal, vice chairman of the Government Affairs Division, said the liquor-by-the-drink questions are as much an "economic development issue" as anything else. Deal noted that many hotels, resorts and "fine restaurants" simply will not locate in an area unless liquor-by-the-drink is available. Chamber president and CEO Kit Dunlap later echoed Deal's comments.
Some municipalities in Hall County, including Gainesville, already have legal liquor-by-the-drink sales, but they are not available in unincorporated parts of the county. The county commission called for the referendum earlier this year. It and the SPLOST referendum will be held in conjunction with the General Election primaries.
http://accesswdun.com/article/2006/6/107863