Go to the homepage for the Sylva Herald and Ruralite

New alcohol information officer to issue opinion forms for ABC permit requests

By Rose Hooper
Responding to a request from the N.C. Alcoholic Beverage Control Commission, Jackson County commissioners voted 4-1 last week to allow their new alcohol information officer to sign local government opinion forms for those requesting alcoholic beverage permits.

The request was delivered to the board by Scott Ogle, an alcohol law enforcement officer assigned to investigate ABC permit requests. Prior to her retirement as alcohol information officer in March, Myrtle Schrader had been designated to complete the opinion forms on behalf of county government.

When a request was made by a Cullowhee restaurant's owners in April, county Manager Jay Denton stepped in and completed the form, stating no objection to Paul and Brian McClure receiving an ABC permit for their restaurant, J. Edwards. The establishment was granted a 90-day permit shortly after.

Denton, who also serves as chairman of the county board, made the motion to assign Jane Oliver the task of completing the local government opinion forms. Oliver was hired as the county's new alcohol information officer at the board's last meeting May 4 and plans to assume her duties May 30.

Commissioner Roberta Crawford raised an objection to one county employee being responsible for completing the forms, which asks for an opinion of the person requesting the ABC permit, including what is felt about the applicant's reputation, character and if any criminal record is known. It also asks about the location of the establishment to be permitted, including if it provides adequate parking, if it is within 50 feet of a church or school, and if it meets zoning requirments.

Indicating on the form that an applicant or location is unsuitable "without an explanation is an insufficient basis for rejection and will not be considered by the commission," the form reads. It also specifically asks for explanations "based on fact, record, law or reputation..."

The form is non-binding in that the ABC Commission may still approve a permit even if a negative opinion of an applicant or location is indicated, Ogle said. It then becomes his job to investigate those requesting permits but not meeting local government approval, he said.

Crawford's was not the only objection to a single county official being designated to state an opinion on ABC permit requests. Clark Sheffield, pastor at Double Springs Church of God, voiced his objection to the sale and consumption of alcohol in the county and specifically at J. Edwards. Individuals driving after drinking at the restaurant "will create a dangerous intersection" at N.C. 107 and Long Branch Road, where the restaurant is located across from Western Carolina University, he said.

Although Jackson County is considered "dry" with regard to alcohol sales, state ABC laws allow for the sale or beer, wine and mixed drinks in special areas classified private assocations or clubs. In their case, the McClures built a tennis court on their property and are charging membership fees. Similar private clubs have been in operation with alcohol sales in southern Jackson County for many years.

In other action by the board, Chairman Denton announced that the recreation department has received a $250,000 grant from the state Parks and Recreation Trust Fund. The money will be used for work at the county park in Cullowhee, said rec department Director Jeff Carpenter.

Commissioners approved 4-1 a grant administration policy, which states that all grant applications must be presented for review and approval of the county manager and finance officer and that "no payment or salary supplement shall be made to any employee of the local government for grant administration." The new policy was needed, Denton said, after concerns were raised about a recent grant application that had not been reviewed by the finance officer. Commissioner Crawford cast the single "no" vote on the issue.

A presentation by Grant Tharp of Barge, Waggoner, Cannon and Sumner, the architectural firm hired by the county to design the new jail and law enforcement facility, put previous concerns about jail space vs. Sheriff's Department space to rest. A normal split is 70 percent jail, 30 percent administration, Tharp said. The new design is about 28 percent jail, to 72 percent Sheriff's Department. Board members voted 5-0 to approve the new set of blueprints.

A resolution in support of the Department of Transportation's secondary road paving plan for 2000-01 was tabled until more information can be acquired as to the status of Jones Street, which was recently added to the Smoky Mountain High School campus. Preliminary plans call for the road to be modified to accommodate a proposed expansion of the school.

Appointments approved by the board included Jan Unger of Macon County to the Southwestern Community College board of trustees and Geraldine Collins to Jackson County Council on Aging's board of directors.

The next meeting of the Jackson County Board of Commissioners will be held at the Justice Center Thursday, June 1, at 7 p.m., at which time the county's 2000-01 budget will be presented.

Back to Archive: 05/25/00.