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Sylva to vote on mixed-drink sales
By Justin Goble
For the second time in five years, Sylva voters will be able to decide whether to allow mixed beverages.
Town board members unanimously agreed last Thursday (Feb. 2) to put the issue on the May 2 primary ballot.
The move was triggered by board member Danny Allen, who contacted officials to see if a vote could be brought before the board.
Allen told The Herald last week a vote was needed during the Feb. 2 meeting to comply with the guidelines of the local Board of Elections. Jackson County BOE has to be notified of a referendum approximately 90 days before an election in order to have time to put the issue on the ballot.
Last Thursday’s vote came 88 days before the primary election. Though slightly less than the 90 day limit, Allen said BOE Director Lisa Lovedahl-Lehman would allow the issue to come before voters if the referendum was passed that night.
Officials want the issue on the May ballot to avoid having to hold the referendum vote on its own. Town Manager Jay Denton told board members in October that holding a special election would cost the town between $3,500 and $4,000.
The referendum, if passed, will allow the sale of mixed beverages in hotels, restaurants, private clubs, community theaters and convention centers.
Though last Thursday’s decision was only to allow the issue to come before voters, board members seemed to believe allowing mixed-drink sales would be beneficial.
Board member Ray Lewis said the sales would be a good source of funds, which would help an already tight budget.
“I think it would be a good thing,” Lewis said. “It would give us some extra revenue in the city.”
Harold Hensley agreed with Lewis, calling the increase in revenues allowed by mixed beverages a “good thing.”
Despite board member’s positive outlook, some restaurant owners have raised issues about the impact mixed drinks would have. Though none were present at the Feb. 2 meeting to comment, concerns were voiced earlier.
During Sylva officials’ Oct. 20 discussion, Denton said some restaurant owners were worried about the amount of competition mixed beverages would bring into the town.
“I have talked to some restaurant owners who are concerned about chain restaurants having an unfair advantage over them,” Denton later told The Herald. “They have a much larger advertising budget, and could take clients away from local establishments. These are legitimate concerns.”
In October of 2001, a mixed drink referendum was defeated by a margin of four votes (224-220).
In other business Feb. 2:
– Officials discussed an upcoming vacancy on the town’s Greenway Committee.
Board member Maurice Moody said committee member Lou Bryson’s term would be ending soon, and she did not wish to serve another term.
Bryson did say she would remain on the committee until June, Moody siad.
Since no one had ideas for nominees last Thursday, officials tabled discussion of the nomination until the next board meeting on Feb. 16.
– Denton used his manager’s report to present updates from Public Works Director Dan Schaeffer, who was absent.
He told officials construction on Wilkesdale Street was completed, and the road is open to traffic. He also said the Mill Street construction project will go to bid this week. Bidding will last for four weeks, and construction is set to start in April.
Resurfacing work by the Department of Transportation will follow the town’s work and is scheduled for July, Denton said.
– Planning Administrator Jim Aust requested a land-use planning committee be scheduled for Feb. 16 after the town board’s regular meeting.
He said the committee needs to meet to go over the county’s land-use plan, which will be voted on during a multi-jurisdictional meeting Monday, Feb. 13.
Aust also asked that a public hearing be scheduled to discuss a zoning ordinance amendment requested by Phil Haire, who wants to develop four duplex units behind his Mica Ridge apartment complex. The ordinance would need to be amended to allow the development, Aust said.
The land is currently zoned as R1 residential, which allows for single-family homes. Haire wants the land to be zoned R1-B for mixed use.
The hearing is set for 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, March 2.
As for new businesses in the town, Aust only had two applications to discuss. The first was for a change in ownership of Towne and Country Florist. The location will remain the same, Aust said, but the store will be renamed Sham’s Flower Box.
Aust also received an application from Jacob Evert, who plans to open an organic coffee shop in the old Worldly Possesions location on Main Street. Aust said the store, named Old Town Organic Coffee House and Cafe, is set to open in April.
– Sylva Police Chief Jeff Jamison told board members the police office recently started an “Officer of the Year” program.
Jamison said he began the program to recognize an exemplary member of the police force.
Police officers chose Rick Bryson as the first honoree.
The department also received grant funds from the Governor’s Highway Safety Board, Jamison said. The money will be used to purchase two new in-car video cameras and a new radar system with dual-facing antennas.
– The location of the board’s planned retreat was changed to Mayor Brenda Oliver’s home on First Avenue in Sylva.
The retreat was originally set for her house on Lake Chatuge, but rising gas prices caused Mayor Oliver to change the meeting place.
The meeting will still be on Saturday, Feb. 18, at 9 a.m.
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