Another appeal made for alcohol vote in Dillsboro

By Rose Hooper

Several residents made the same request at last month's meeting. Town clerk Herb Nolan said than that he would verify with officials in Raleigh the steps necessary to proceed.

Nolan also said then that the board could not call for a referendum since it had only been three years since Dillsboro voters last rejected on- and off-premises beer and wine sales.

"The town would have to wait five years, but a petition of the voters could request it within three years," Nolan said at the August meeting.

Since the town of Dillsboro has a population of less than 500, the question of if action would be required by the N.C. Legislature was also raised.

This month Nolan suggested to Karras that she get a petition signed by 35 percent of the 200 registered voters and that she "leave the town out of the petition."

Also this month the town voted not to allow absentee ballots for its Nov. 6 election.

"We are already past the date for filing anyway," said Vice Mayor Reg Moody, who conducted the meeting with the absence of Mayor Wade Wilson.

In other business, Nolan presented board members with a sketch of a proposed pavilion for the town's picnic park. The 24 by 48 foot building would have 1,200 square feet of space and could hold 30 to 40 people, Nolan said. It would be located next to the Dillsboro Inn.

Nolan said he did not have a cost estimate yet on the project, but he was hopeful of securing a matching grant from N.C. Parks and Recreation.

He also told board members "to expect a major announcement in the next 60 to 90 days about an industry coming in."

Back to Archive: 09/20/01.