Alcohol sales is once again a hot topic in our area this week; this time in regards to the City of Trenton. The commission met this Monday and discussion was brought up over new laws for distilled package sales and Sunday alcohol sales.
Jay Patel, owner of Discount Tobacco, Beer, & Wine, approached the commission, wishing for them to put proposals to change the current ordinances that would allow distilled package sales and Sunday alcohol sales on the ballot in the upcoming election.
Previously, Mr. Patel would have been required to obtain and present 30% of the voting population’s signatures on a petition to have his point heard. However, on May 4th of this year, the Georgia Senate passed Senate Bill 145, modifying “the petition requirements for initiating a referendum election for the authorization of the issuance of licenses for the package sale of distilled spirits; to provide an additional method of initiating such a referendum election; to change certain provisions relating to the procedures for calling and conducting certain referendum elections and the nullification thereof; to provide for related matters; to provide for an effective date; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.”
Mr. Patel also stated that he believed that business owners like himself are paying too little for the required licensure to be able to sell alcohol. He proposed that it would be in the city’s vested interest to require a percentage of sales be paid in taxes on alcohol sales, instead of the flat fee ($750, City Clerk Russanna Jenkins explained) currently required. This would drastically increase the funding obtained from these businesses to the city.
Mayor Alex Case decided to hold off on voting to add the proposals to the ballot until the August meeting, so that if they did pass they would have the necessary legal verbiage required to do so. But the commissioners made their current positions known. Police Commissioner Kirk Forshee, Parks & Rec/Animal Control Commissioner Terry Powell, and Fire & Utilities Commissioner Lucretia Houts would vote favorably, all stating that it should be up to the people of Trenton to decide what they want for themselves. Public Works Commissioner Monda Wooten stated she would be against adding the proposals to the ballot. “I guess I’m just old school,” said Wooten.
The next meeting of the City Council will be Monday, August 9th at 6pm at Trenton City Hall. Meetings are open to the public.
by Orey Yates
