County O.K.’s Bar; Awards Longevity
About 100 people turned out Monday evening for a public hearing on alcohol licensing for Hwy. 142 Bar & Grill.
The Jasper County Commission meeting was moved from its usual meeting room on the ground floor of the Courthouse to the small Courtroom on the top floor because of the number of people gathered. It turned out that more than 50 were people from Shiloh Baptist Church, who were opposing the re-opening of the bar, or specifically the pouring of alcohol there. (Only beer and wine will be allowed.)
The commission allotted 30 minutes for the public hearing—15 for each side, with each speaker limited to three minutes. The affirmatives had time left over, but the naysayers ran out of time.
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Shiloh senior pastor Danny Sorrells began the opposing remarks, speaking of the dangers of alcoholism, the possible increase in impaired drivers which could cause injuries to people at the church, particularly on Saturdays when they have 1,000 people there for youth sports, he said. He began to read a resolution the church had adopted, but ran out of time, and Paul Miller, youth minister, picked up where he left off.
Robert Eidson said he lives 100 yards from the bar and he had a bad experience when the bar was open before. He said the music would rattle his windows, and he would hear women squealing, hear tires squealing, and he thought the motorcycles had no mufflers as loud as they were.
Other members shared their experiences with alcoholic family members. One couple said they moved here from Gwinnett County to escape this type of activity.
The location of the restaurant and bar is less than a mile from the church.
Commission Chairman Alan Cox explained that it is the commission’s jobs is to decide if the applicant has met the qualifications for the license to sell alcohol, and if he has to permit it. The applicant, Hiram Pierce, an attorney who said he lives in Shady Dale, said they had fulfilled the requirements of the law, and that every day they are delayed in opening is costing them money.
Sheriff Charles Roper was on hand to discuss some of the concerns that church members had, and explained that it is not legal for law enforcement to target the bar for traffic stops, etc., and explained the small work force the department has to try to patrol everywhere. He suggested when persons see someone driving who appears to be impaired, they should call 911.
After the 30-minute public hearing, the commission voted 4-1 to approve the license, with Commissioner Mary Patrick casting the dissenting vote.
After the public hearing, most of the audience left the meeting, but it continued in the courtroom.
The commission presented longevity awards to employees who have been with the county for a long time. Sheriff Roper accepted the award for Gloria Williams who has been a county employee for 28 years. Commissioner Carl Pennamon as honored with an award for 27 years employment with the county.
Clerk of Courts Dan Jordan and Tax Maintenance office employee Phyllis Norwood were recognized for 25 years of service to the county. Ralph Pope, a Public Works employee and Ken Tillman, landfill superintendent, were both recognized for 23 years of service. Wendell Pope (PWD employee) and Tax Commissioner Merry Faulkner were recognized for 20 years of service.
