Commission Again Denies Pouring License

The Jasper County Commission again denied a pouring license for Haystack Wings and Thangz at its meeting Monday evening.

The commission last month turned down the applicant, Toyoir West, for her request to have a beer, wine and distilled spirits pouring license. This month Ms. West dropped the request for distilled spirits.

She said that she wanted a restaurant where people could have a drink with their meal. She said,” I assure you, it will be a restaurant.” She said she had no control over what had happened there in the past, and that she felt her civil liberties are being violated if she’s not allowed to have a pouring license.

Several people spoke in favor of the license, and several spoke against. The commission heard many of the same arguments last month, with those against it saying there are no advantages for the residents of Farrar.

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Elijah Jones said they are used to quiet country living. He mentioned the proximity to Shiloh Baptist Church and to homes in the area. Mary Patrick questioned if it had met all the conditions in the code, and said that Jasper County does not license bars. ”We license restaurants,” she said. Charles Forsythe also asked if it conformed with all the county’s ordinances, saying a restaurant must be open five days a week and make its primary revenue from food.

Several people spoke to Ms. West’s character, and suggested she should be given a chance. Her father said she had earned her bachelor’s and master’s degree, partly in an effort not to be stereotyped. Several other people also spoke on behalf of the establishment.

However, when it came time to vote, Commissioner Bruce Henry made a motion to hold to what the commission had done and deny the permit. The motion passed 3-1, with Carl Pennamon voting against the motion. Chairman Gene Trammell was absent because of sickness.

Commissioner Doug Luke said he wants her to be successful, and said a restaurant is needed. At the end of the meeting he urged residents to patronize the restaurant.

In other action at Monday’s meeting, commissioners:

•Honored Carol Dumas as historian for Hillsboro, saying she has written a book on the history of Hillsboro and copies are available at the local library. Sudy Stuckey was also recognized for her contributions to the Hillsboro community, but was not on hand to receive her certificate.

•Honored senior 4-H’ers Ivy English and Keri Roach for representing the county well at state congress.

•Learned that the county’s ISO rating is unchanged after a recent review. In addition commissioners learned that Chris Finch has been hired to run the joint fire/Emergency Medical Service (EMS).

•Learned that the Public Works Department (PWD) has finished paving Bullard and Davidson Roads, and is now working on Dumas Road.

•Learned that all county’s in the Joint Development Authority (JDA) have signed the new agreement.

•Held a public hearing on a proposed noise ordinance. Much input was offered, including fining both the violator and the property owner, as well as having escalating fines for multiple calls to the same address.

•Learned that December 31 is the deadline to apply for state Local Maintenance and Improvement Grant (LMIG) money, and agreed to submit 2.5 miles of Post Road for that project.

Commissioner Bruce Henry said he was glad to see the good public turnout at the meeting.

Mary Patrick suggested the commissioners look at the curbside pick-up policy, saying people pay for pick-up, not by the can.