We deeply respect the moral decisions that those within the county who abstain from imbibing alcohol of any kind in this county have taken. It is a perfectly valid personal decision to not drink alcohol in this county. However, there in is the crux of the issue. It is a personal decision. This country was once comprised of people like us who believed in the independent spirit. As long as it didn't harm me or infrindge upon my personal rights then it was ok. However, those days of America the Republic are gone. Now we have come to the issue of alcohol by the drink in Fannin County. We have heard from the supporters of the beer/wine agenda. We have been given the economic reasons why beer/wine (now liquor) would have a positive effect for the county. We have even read words from the Gilmer County Commissioner begging us to change our minds in order to keep Fannin Taxes flowing into his county. But my question to the members of the Fannin CountyTemperance Movement is this: What is the alternative?

We would like to hear what their proposals are for reviving the local economy?

We would like to hear what their ideas are for keeping taxes low?

We would like to hear what their thoughts are for trying to bring industry into this county?

There is good news if we remain with status quo. Whenever we meet at one of the numerous "burger joints" in Fannin there is no worry of seating. However, I do have to wait for some time outside of Longhorn's and Ruby Tuesday's in Ellijay. We no longer have to worry about rebuilding any houses as we can just choose from any of the near thousand "spec" homes currently sitting empty on the market.

As natives of Fannin County we understand the idea for keeping Fannin County as a pristine mountain town. However, the one thing we can never stop is progress. Atlanta is pushing further north everyday. Those of you who think it can be stopped are decieving yourselves. You cannot stop progress! The only thing you can do is regulate it. This idea of keeping a 21st Century Fannin County in the mid-20th Century timeframe is a ludicrous archaic notion. You have to adjust with progress or be crushed under its colossal influence.

That being said I beg of anyone out there who is against the idea of having alcohol by-the-drink in Fannin County to answer our question: What is the alternative?

Great post and a great few sentences there; you get it and it's quite refreshing coming from a native. I grew up in ATL; there ain't no stopping her. Anybody with an open mind can see plain as day we're pushing for the lesser of two evils. The others will hang on to zero tolerance until it's 100% tolerance by law.

I'll shut up now and listen to the sounds of crickets while I await an alternative tact from the locals. Thanks again for a good post.

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Thanks. I just get tired of people advocating that beer and wine is a "sinful" moral issue. Since when does an inert liquid become a moral crisis? Morality refers to the concept of human action which pertains to matters of right and wrong (Good and Evil if you will). Morality is based upon individual personal principles. It pains me to realize that today in our country individualism is viewed a truly irrelevant concept. This great republic was founded by great individuals who believed in the idea of true freedom. We are a republic not a democracy (MOB RULE). But I digress.

The issue at hand with alcohol by the drink is one of pure economics. Tourism is the main (some say the only) industry in Fannin County. We have the little quaint shops and the views to bring the people to us. But when you drive for 100 miles or more for the spectacular scenery do you really want to embark on the gastronomic conundrum of which burger place that you want to settle for. NO!! You want a juicy rib eye, you want some shrimp pasta, and you want a nice beer or glass of wine to go with it. The biggest problem that I have is that opponents of alcohol b-the-drink have no qualms about going to a restaurant in another county eating their steaks or chicken with sweet tea (some with beer or wine) in an establishment that sells alcohol. However, they for some reason do not want the same opportunity for Fannin County. I, being a native, cannot express how many times over the years I have overheard or even spoken with visitors to our great county inquiring as to where they can get a nice dinner and something to drink only to see the bewilderment come to their faces as they realize that its an afternoons journey to find the object of their desire. Its economics folks! Supply and Demand! The tourists demand the ability to have a drink if they wish, and it is the duty of the business leaders and county administrators to supply them with what they request.

That being said the idea that alcohol is a "sin" is such a farce that it pains me to even give attention to it. Alcohol is a lifeless substance. It has been on this earth since pre-history. Alcohol within itself cannot corrupt. It is a substance with out purpose other than drinking. To corrupt something must have a driving force a sense of self and a sense of others. However, I know that all of this is falling on deaf ears. I'm a believing Baptist myself, but I know that most parishioners in our local churches pay more attention to the church covenants and by-laws than what is found in the pages of the Bible.

The main thing to remember from this whole debate is that the United States of America was formed by people who wanted the opportunity to make individual decisions about their life and not be told by a controlling force. Many individuals like me want the same thing for the citizens and visitors to Fannin County. Give us all a chance to make a choice. If you feel strongly that you will not give money to a facility that sells alcohol then do just that. Stand up for your own individual principles and do not monetarily support a business. There will still be places that will not serve alcohol for you and others who believe as strongly as yourself to frequent.

Great posts!! I thought I would add this, as it seems quite appropriate for the topic at hand.

"What has been the effect of religious coercion? To make half the world fools, and the other half hypocrites." ~Thomas Jefferson

I was raised in a "fundie" Baptist home with the kind of mentality that is being displayed by the opposition to this issue. I was told of the evils of alcohol and have heard countless sermons on the topic. What affect did it have on me.... Made me want to see what all the fuss was about! I never understood however and it was never made clear to me why "Wine" was so frequently mentioned in the Bible. Jesus turned water into Wine (and it's NOT grape juice like they lead to believe...fermentation occurs!). If this were the case, why the warnings against drunkenness and the abuse of wine in the Bible? How did the partakers of the Lord's table at the church of Corinth get drunk on grape juice? Why would Paul say, "Be not drunk with wine?" The Bible even says a little wine is good for the stomach.

So what does the Bible "REALLY" say about the topic:

There are 247 references to wine and strong drink in the Bible that can be divided into 3 broad categories: positive references, negative references, and neutral references. By far the most numerous type of references to wine in the Bible (58 references, 24%) are the casual/positive references to wine as an integral, commonly accepted part of the culture. No value judgment is attached to it, anymore than people in our culture would attach a value judgment to a choice of iced tea or Diet Coke with a meal. These references show that in the minds of the writers of the Bible, no stigma was associated with casual use of alcohol. Nowhere, in these references or elsewhere, is it even remotely suggested that it is considered a "sin".

A reference to wine in connection with Jesus comes in the form of a false accusation from Pharisees, recorded in Luke 7:33. Jesus maintains that the Pharisees wouldn't be satisfied regardless of what he did. John the Baptist had evidently taken a vow of abstinence and they had accused him of having a demon. Jesus evidently took no such vow, but ate and drank openly and freely, so they accused him of being a glutton and a drunkard. If Jesus was a prohibitionist, the charge of being a drunkard would have been too ridiculous for such astute twisters of the truth as the Pharisees to have advanced. Jesus evidently drank wine to the extent that his enemies thought they could discredit him by spreading rumors that he was a drunkard.

If Jesus were on this earth today he wouldn't be riding on the Church bus to the county commissioner meeting.... or based on their hypocrisy, attending any of the local Fannin County churches for that matter,

The Bible has several warnings against drunkenness, but only one caution against the responsible use of alcohol in celebration and with meals. That caution is to be careful, when you are in fellowship with Christians with a weaker conscience, that you don't cause a brother to stumble.

and in conclusion and I'm off my soap box....

Therefore do not let anyone judge you by what you eat or drink, or with regard to a religious festival, a New Moon celebration, or a Sabbath day. Colossians 2:16

Some of the above information, which I found to be MOST appropriate for this topic was pasted from the following website:
http://www.wooga.drbacchus.com/bible/alcohol.html

Im still waiting for a good alternative to be proposed.......anyone?