DEMOREST — Voters in Demorest will be able to decide this fall if they want liquor-by-the-drink sales in their city.
After hearing favorable comments from a couple of citizens, council members voted unanimously Tuesday night to place the question on the November ballot.
Resident Jim Thacker told Council, Demorest needs to be aligned with surrounding municipalities.
"Clarkesville and Cornelia both have it [liquor-by-the drink] - you can go to Longhorn and get a drink - and why shouldn't we benefit from it?" asked Thacker.
Resident Elizabeth Pyren also spoke in support of placing the question before voters.
"We need the revenue and we're losing it to surrounding municipalities," said Pyren.
Mayor Rick Austin agreed with the assessments of Thacker and Pyren, saying that Demorest residents were taking their business elsewhere.
"One thing's very clear. If there are Demorest residents that do partake by their choice, right now they're driving to Cornelia or to Clarkesville or to Gainesville or someplace else," said Austin. "This puts it closer to home, if they so choose."
Councilman John Popham said the clear choice was to put the matter before the voters.
"I think that's the only way to do it," said Popham. "Put it on [a ballot] and let the people vote on it. If they want it - fine- and if they don't - fine."
Popham made the motion to place the distilled spirits-by-the-drink question on the November 3 ballot. Council passed the motion unanimously.
Demorest resident Jim Thacker (standing) told city council members he's in favor of liquor-by-the-drink sales in the city.
http://accesswdun.com/article/2015/8/327494/demorest-voters-will-have-a-chance-to-decide-on-alcohol-by-the-drink