Indeed it was interesting and I learned a lot. Here's how I saw it from the back of the room. The commissioners/speakers need to be elevated; I couldn't see who was speaking most of the time.

1. Mr. Skelton and Bruce Hanson opened and made an excellent case for the economic impact of our jobs, tax dollars, and visitors leaving us just because a beer and a burrito cannot be served.
2. Tim Richter of the Toccoa Riverside Restaurant made an impassioned plea and asked for a vote on a beer & wine only ordinance, or barring that, a vote to put it on the ballot via referendum.
3. Tommy Ledford brought the motion after agreeing with the speakers and mentioning that at this time last year ~800 cabins had been sold, as compared with around 200 this year; that's going to trickle-down to everybody. Mr. Ledford obviously has the fortitude to objectively listen to business owners and not worry about his preacher/relatives/friends/campaign contributers. He has my vote next time around just for that.
4. Commissioners Steve Morris and Howie Bruce remained silent and were booed. These two ran on a platform of a no beer/wine ordinance, and they're obviously sticking to that campaign promise, but an unbeatable referendum with hard liquor included now seems imminent.
5. Therefore, the motion was denied, to which Mr. Ledford brought the motion to put it on the ballot as a referendum. This motion was seconded and approved.
6. Accordingly, it has to come up two more times and be subsequently approved prior to it making it onto the ballot.

What does it mean? You'll most likely see this on the ballot. It will then most likely pass. However, when it does go on the ballot, hard liquor by-the-drink must, by law, be a part of that. Our protectionist idea of beer & wine only will be gone forever. For the life of me, I can't see how the other side can't see the devil in the details.

What does that mean? Those that don't want "change from outsiders" (yet to be halted in recorded history) are gonna see what change is all about when the deep-pocketed franchises erect their neon signs and start pouring the hard stuff. I think most will hate saying we told ya so!

What can you do? Simply let Mr. Morris and Mr. Bruce know that adapting to conditions and changing one's mind when the county's best, future interests are at heart is the trait of commissioner you want going forward. AND, an ordinance is better than a referendum for everybody but the franchises!

Howie Bruce: 706-632-6862
Steve Morris: 706-374-2645