Hart BOC to Consider Revising Beer and Wine Ordinance

Hart County commissioners will meet in the near future to discuss whether to revise the current beer and wine ordinance.

At their regular meeting Tuesday evening, commissioner Dan Reyen called for a total review of the 40-year old ordinance that he says is not keeping up with a changing community.

“It’s time we sat down and looked at that beer and wine ordinance,” Reyen told the board Tuesday. “It’s 40 years old and we’ve had problems with trying to enforce it and with just trying to decide who gets a license and who doesn’t. Plus, we now hold events where people want to sell beer and wine and we have nothing in the ordinance to address that.”

One key element in the current ordinance requires business owners to have the door to their establishment at least 500 feet from the road and nearby churches, schools, and other areas deemed inappropriate to be around alcohol sales.

Reyen pointed to one business, Max Saver, in which the owner had to build an extension on to his existing building so that the door would meet the 500 ft requirement before he could get a license to sell wine and beer– that at a cost to the owner of some $30-thousand dollars.

Reyen said that requirement should be lowered to 300 feet, which he said is what surrounding counties and municipalities have in their ordinances.

Commissioner Joey Dorsey said he’s fine with taking another look at the current ordinance, but not with changing that requirement.

“I don’t think it’s right to change it,” Dorsey said. “I agree that there are some things in the ordinance that need to be clarified. I’ve been involved in these decisions for quite some time. Me for 13 years. Although there are some things that need to be changed, I don’t think it’s fair to those who have been denied a license because of distance, to now change that requirement.”

Some citizens attending the board of commissioners meeting Tuesday were also against making any changes to the exisiting beer and wine ordinance.  The Rev. Samuel Dulaney is pastor of Reed Creek Baptist Church.

Dulaney said the safety of the community should be the board’s highest priority.

“I think it’s a greater sham that someone would go through an intersection and we lose a son because of drunk driving,” Dulaney said. “Or they go through a cemetery because they can’t keep it on the road because of alcohol.”

Dulaney said he thought it was fine that they (BOC) look at the current ordinance, but it doesn’t need to be changed.

“I think there’s other ways to protect lives, but to look at the law that’s been in effect and has been fair whether you or think it has or hasn’t, I think it’s a greater sham that we do not have a greater respect for human life,” Dulaney said.

Commission chair Bill Myers emphasized the board plans only to look at the ordinance, and may or may not make any changes.

After more discussion, the board then voted three to one to hold a meeting on the matter, with commissioner Joey Dorsey voting against.  So far, no date has been set for that meeting.