HIAWASSEE, Ga. – As the deadline looms for those hoping for a county package store referendum to appear on the November ballot, Towns County Sole Commissioner Cliff Bradshaw continues to stand in firm opposition of the Towns County Civic Association (TCCA) proposal.

In a letter dated July 6, signed by Civic President Michael H. Courney, and presented to Commissioner Bradshaw by members of the committee, the association references an annual civic meeting which took place on June 22. According to the TCCA, the subject of acquiring a county retail package store was raised, with the vast majority of those in attendance favoring the motion.

TCCA states that the committee has conducted further research within the community, receiving additional support from several local establishments. The document attests that each individual interviewed opinionated that a package store would not create a “weakening of ethical or moral fiber within the community,” would not not increase alcohol consumption, would not cause crime rates to rise, including driving under the influence, and would not directly affect the detremental health of residents, as consumers will continue to purchase spirits regardless of whether the point of sale occurs in Towns County, or across the North Carolina state line.

TCCA argues that the current revenue lost to Clay County is not justified, and that the funds generated by the presence of a package store would provide a “helpful and a positive asset to governmental operations and welfare of its citizens.”

TCCA concluded by stating that the referendum should be placed on the ballot, as indicated by the 2016 Towns County Joint Comprehensive Plan, which lists exploring revenue options, and allowing citizens to decide on liquor sales by the drink, as well as retail liquor establishments, “as required by Georgia law.”

“Of course we want to see economic growth, but we want controlled growth,” Commissioner Bradshaw tells FYN, “It is not the direction that the county wants to head. The revenue generated from a package store is not worth the repercussion…Towns County wishes it had as much of a manufacturing industry as Union County. Union wishes it had as much tourism as Towns…Government cannot be all things to all people.”

In keeping with his campaign promise, Commissioner Bradshaw intends to place liquor-by-the-pour for county establishments on the November ballot. However, the commissioner adamantly objects to a self-initiated package store referendum. “I’m just not doing it in the county,” Bradshaw says, “If enough signatures are collected to show it’s something the people of Towns County want, then it will go on the ballot.”

In order for a vote to appear on the upcoming November ballot, 35 percent of registered county voters must sign a petition and present it to the Board of Elections prior to Aug. 8, a deadline set by the State of Georgia.

Bradshaw says that his office has received substantial opposition in regard to an inclusion of a referendum, following an article released regarding the TCCA meeting in June.

“(TCCA), their argument is that revenue is being lost to Clay County,” Bradshaw said, “In the July county meeting, a figure of $500,000 in taxes was mentioned by a citizen in favor of a package store. I looked into the matter. The Clay County package store generated $160,000 in profit last year. Liquor stores are not state-run in Georgia like they are in North Carolina. Sales tax amounted to approximately $48,000, and you need to also look at the fact that the total would be reduced because with two area stores, the amount would divide. So we’d be looking at an estimate of roughly $24,000, and that just isn’t enough of an incentive.”

Bradshaw provided FYN with a case study, conducted by the University of California at Berkley, citing the presence of liquor stores as a contributing factor in increased crime and urban decay in lower socioeconomic status communities. In addition, the study claims that violent and property crimes in the immediate vicinity of increase following the opening of an outlet.

However, the research expands to state that while numerous studies show a correlation between alcohol outlet density and crime, it is inconclusive as to whether the outlets themselves contribute to an increase in criminal behavior, as the result of crime displacement from surrounding areas, or whether package stores tend to emerge in areas with inherently higher crime rates.

Residents affiliated with the Towns County Civic Association have actively pursued the collection of necessary signatures to place a vote on the City of Hiawassee ballot in November, as required by municipal legislation. The success or failure of the venture will be evident by week’s end, as the deadline to submit the petition to the Board of Elections for verification purposes expires.

The Hiawassee petition reads, in part, that its mission is to determine “if the citizens of Hiawassee really want to bring in more income into the city, rather than send it off to another city and state…that “those that drink alcohol are going to continue their habit, whether it is in our city or North Carolina”…and “it makes more sense for a customer to buy and go home, as opposed to having two to three drinks at a restaurant and driving under the influence.”

In a follow-up letter addressed to the county commissioner from the civic board, the TCCA claims that the organization does not take a position in support of, nor in objection to, a package store approval for Towns County nor the City of Hiawassee. The civic association concludes, however, that a referendum is the proper avenue of address. “There are various thoughts and opinions on the subject; and respect must be maintained. Such a referendum may pass, or it may be defeated. Either outcome offers the will of the voter majority to be the will as spoken,” TCCA writes.

FYN reached out to TCCA via email on Thursday, July 27, offering an opportunity to provide additional input on the rejection of the county referendum. TCCA had not responded at the time of publication on Monday, July 30.