Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Alcohol Permits topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Resident urges commissioners to oppose beer-permit restrictions; county confirms resolution is tabled
Summary
A Bradley County resident urged commissioners to oppose a tabled resolution that would ban off-premises beer sales, storage and manufacturing within 185 feet of schools, churches and public gathering places; the commission chair reminded the audience the resolution is tabled and cannot be discussed during the work session.
At a Bradley County Board of Commissioners work session, a resident, Kim Ledford, told commissioners she opposed a proposed resolution amending the county’s beer-permit application procedure to forbid sales, storage and manufacturing of beer and similar beverages for consumption off premises within 185 feet of schools, churches and public gathering areas.
"I just feel like like alcohol is, too readily accessible as it is," Kim Ledford said, identifying herself as the mother of Dustin, who she said "was killed by a drunk driver on APD 40 almost 15 years ago." Ledford said she understood the resolution had been tabled and that she appreciated commissioners listening to her concerns.
Before public comment began, the commission chair told the room: "The resolution amending the Bradley County beer permit application procedure to forbid the sales, storage, and manufacturing of beer and like beverages for consumption off premises within 185 feet of schools, churches, and public gathering areas has been tabled. There is to be no commission discussion of the resolution until a majority of this body votes to remove the resolution from the table." The chair also clarified that the restriction on discussion applied to commissioners during the work session and did not limit the public's ability to speak.
After Ledford spoke, Commissioner Thompson expressed sympathy for her loss and described the commission’s role in considering matters raised by constituents. "When something is brought to us as a resolution or whatever to bring before this commission, then it's their job to do so," Thompson said, adding he understood the hurt in Ledford’s remarks.
The work session record shows the resolution remains tabled; no commission vote or change in status occurred during the session. Ledford asked commissioners to be mindful of accessibility to alcohol if the resolution returns for discussion at a future meeting.
