Residents will decide to allow Sunday Alcohol Sales

Stephens County voters will decide in May if they will allow Sunday Alcohol Sales in the County.

If approved, by the voters, Stephens County will be able to purchase beer and wine, and purchase alcohol drinks from restaurants on Sundays.

Since October, the board has been discussing Sunday Alcohol Sales, when they decided to move forward with starting the process to place this question on the ballot.

During the Stephens County Board of Commissioners’ Winter retreat, the board voted on the issue; however, County Attorney Brian Ranck explained that the County’s vote was premature.

“In October, the board voted to move forward with the process of putting it on the ballot. The way it works they have to adopt a resolution calling for the election and authorizing the referendum and so this is the formality basically. Now they have to come back and adopt the resolution,” Ranck said.

During yesterday’s Stephens County Board of Commissioners meeting, the board voted and approved the resolution, drawn up by Rank, to place Sunday Alcohol Sales on the ballot for the forthcoming election this May.

A motion was made by Commissioner Stanley London, with a seconded by Commissioner Debbie Whitlock.

The motion passed 4-1, with Commissioner Dean Scarborough voting in opposition.

During the meeting Chairman Michelle Ivester explained that the public can’t always make every decision the county faces; however, this is one instance where the public is afforded that option.

The General Primary is slated for May 22; additionally, the deadline to register to vote for the May primary is April 24.

You can register online at the Georgia Secretary of State web site, or at the Toccoa office of the Department of Driver Safety on Doyle Street or at the Stephens County Registrar’s office on Tugalo St.