Ellijay Waits for L.O.S.T Letter, Sunday Sales to go on Ballot

The Ellijay City Council has approved a motion for Sunday Alcohol Sales to appear on the earliest possible ballot in Ellijay, GA. This means that the citizens of Ellijay will have an opportunity to vote on whether or not they want alcohol to be allowed to be sold on Sundays in the city.

The matter was discussed at the Ellijay City Council meeting tonight at City Hall. Before the motion was approved city council member David Westmoreland mentioned that the subject was brought up at the last special called meeting the city and the county had in order to discuss the Local Options Sales Tax (L.O.S.T). Westmoreland said that if they were going to put it on the ballot now would be the time considering there is an election coming up.

After Westmoreland spoke, city council member Charles Barclay then said that this would give the people of Ellijay the opportunity to vote on it and be able to exercise their right on whether they wanted it or not. Ellijay Mayor Al Hoyle told council before they made a motion that they would have to check with the election superintendent about when the earliest possible election would be they could have the issue on a ballot.

Barclay then motioned for “Sunday Alcohol Sales” to appear on the earliest possible ballot, the motion was seconded by David Westmoreland. Barclay, Westmoreland, and city council member Al Fuller favored the motion. Council Member Ruth Caudell was the only council member who opposed the motion.

Also, in the meeting the Local Option Sales Tax distribution with the County and the city of East Ellijay was discussed. Two weeks ago, at a special called meeting, the County agreed to split 16 percent of the tax with Ellijay and 9 percent of the tax with East Ellijay if both Ellijay and East Ellijay would send the county written proposals accepting the agreement. East Ellijay agreed to accept the County’s offer in their city council meeting last week. Tonight Mayor Hoyle said that the city had sent their proposal to the county but the county won’t be able to issue them an acceptance letter until after a County workshop on the 22nd. The council decided to table a motion that would agree to them accepting the new percentage until after they could receive the County’s acceptance letter.

During the meeting tonight the city council also filled a vacancy on the new Downtown Development Authority (DDA) board. The vacancy came after board applicant Cliff Lancey decided to remove his name from a list of recommend board members. Lancey removed his name after what he said was a “politically motivated” move by the city to put him on the list based on his marriage to city council member Katie Lancey. The council approved a motion tonight to fill the vacancy with Ellijay business owner Patricia Kyle.

FYN will continue to update you on the Local Option Sales Tax distribution and will inform you when the city’s decision to put Sunday Alcohol Sales will be on a ballot as soon as possible.