Let’s not forget that you have to travel to Murphy, NC to get the liquor.

I truly love Fannin Co., and as a business owner myself, I wish the best for all owners in Blue Ridge. As much as I love Fannin county, I also have the love of fablulous Food And Beverage which simply goes hand and hand. I do not like chains nor fast food. But this is what seems to be the best we have . As a property owner in Fannin, I truly feel the only way to get the finer restaurants and entrepeneurs to open is to deal with this backwoods issue of alcohol sales and consumtion. This needs to be addressed. Every property owner that pays Real Estate Taxes should be allowed to vote on this issue, not just full time residents. The tourists will flock when the finer things are offered. Property values increase when there is more to offer the people with the expendable income. The taxes generated would help the city as well as county pay for alot more! Time to grow up and prosper I say.

My husband and I also love Fannin County, so much so that we are building our vacation home here and hope to someday move here permanently. I have to say that it blew me away that we could not order a beer with our mexican dinner last time we were up. I do think the laws are extreme and hope by the time we settle in that the restaurant and drink choices improve.
Could anyone explain the purpose behind the alcohol sale and consumtion laws? (Don’t tell me its to keep the drunks off the road since people still have the freedom to drink at home.)

As far as I can tell, serving beer and wine in Fannin County has been all talk and no action. As many people have pointed out, tourism seems to be the main industry of the County. When I mention to prospective visitors that you can’t get a drink in any of the restaurants they’re dumbfounded. What other tourist destination doesn’t at least serve beer and wine? We live in Atlanta and have a cabin in Mineral Bluff that we plan to move into this year. When we make trips to Blue Ridge we eat in Ellijay.

Now even Copperhill is talking about extending beer sales hours in an effort to generate more revenue. Fannin needs to wake up, SOON.

I have owned my Fannin property 17 years and had to live with the mom & pop restaurants in the area. The purpose behind the alcohol sale and consumption laws is simple - Fannin Co. is in the middle of the Bible Belt. Preachers are the unelected leaders and have heavy influence on the voting public.

I have watched the climate change over the years. Early on there was no talk about it. Then you would read something about it and the person would be chastised for mentioning it. I have seen a significant change in attitude in the last 2-3 years. Even the County Commission Chairman said this year he feels a referendum would pass if presented to the voters. But this has not happened. I have read it is up to the county commissioners to put it on the ballot but they have not done it. Probably because this is an election year.

This will be on the Union Co. (Blairsville) ballot this summer and is expected to pass.

I predict it will go on the Fannin Co. ballot within a year or two after the election. The people of Fannin are starting to see the negative economic impact of the current laws. Tourism is the major industry and they are missing out on additional revenue while the tourists are here.

What is “brown-bagging”? You can’t order a glass of wine with dinner or get a scotch anywhere in Fannin County?

Yes, BYOBIBB (Bring Your Own Booze In a Brown Bag).

There was some heavy discussion a couple of years ago about passing an ordinance against this in Fannin Co. The logic was that bringing your own bottle of wine to a restaurant encouraged people to finish all they brought before they left and therefore put more drunks on the road. There wasn’t any discussion about going to the next county to have a drink with a meal and then the even longer drive back to Fannin County.

I’m glad I happened upon your webpage. I was planning a family vacation for Summoer of 2007 in the Blue Ridge area, grandkids and all … and was amazed to find I could actually rent a place this Summer. Most places requrie notice months in advance or you’re too late. Now I know why! It looks like I’ll be focusing elsewhere. We are social drinkers and love our “Happy Hour” with Raspberry Cosmo’s and Appletini’s - and to think you have an “Apple Festival” ??? Tourists who rent these fine cabin homes for a week or a month, should, at least, be able to bring their own “Happy Hour” without fear of confiscation, ticketing or arrest!

My husband and I have just purchased a home at Lake Nottley in Blairsville. We certainly do hope that Steve is correct in stating that there will be a vote this summer and that it is expected to pass in Union County. We find it difficult to believe that these old blue laws are still in place in any of these counties. Both of us agree will many of you in thinking that if we want to compete with the many available tourist resort areas it is high time that Fannin and Union Counties enter the 21st century and permit responsible law abiding people to decide for themselves whether or not they wish to have a cocktail with their meals. These counties are missing out on much needed tax revenue
and tourist dollars by not allowing what we see as a legal right being offered to American citizens everywhere else in this country. We would also love to see some higher grade restaurants in these districts that certainly won’t consider coming to town without the possibility of being able to offer alcoholic beverages to their patrons. We are willing to abide by the “no alcohol on Sundays” rule if necessary but the rest of these laws are so antiquated that they are simply ridiculous.

I’m glad I came upon this site. We are coming up this month for a week to celebrate our 2oth anniversary and I would have been pretty darn upset if I got there and couldn’t buy alcohol. I’ll stock up before I come. Maybe I will bring my groceries from home as well, and enjoy eating and drinking in the cabin. Think of all the money I save.. But then again, think of the revenues that local businesses won’t be getting.

The liquor by the drink initiative in Union county was narrowly defeated. Public comments indicate it will be on the ballot again next year. Fannin county primaries re-elected one commissioner who is totally against serving alcohol anywhere in the county. The other commissioner is in a runoff against a person who is not a supporter of alcohol but says he would support a vote on the issue (this way he can get voters from both sides of the issue). The Chairman (who strongly supports a referendum on the issue) is an independent so he will not show up on the ballot until Nov.

There were opposing editorials in the paper last week. One was titled something like “Who made the preachers our leaders�. He said the preachers are telling everyone the Bible was against alcohol when the author says the Bible was only against abuse and excess. He felt the preachers should focus on over eating instead.

The other editorial said Fannin should have the vote now so that it could be defeated before all the “outsiders� move in, register to vote and have beer and wine served everywhere.

This is still a hot subject but is probably still at least a couple of years a way.

Thanks for the information on the liquor laws. I was curious what the rules are.

We will be making our 3rd visit to the area Labor Day weekend. We learned to bring our own with us.

Re: Copperhill

I don’t think the description of “staking out” beer sales outlets is truly fair or accurate of our town. Our police do NOT target any establishments, but keep a watchful on the entire town in general for general public safety and to enhance quality of life for our residents and welcome visitors alike. We welcome all law-abiding visitors to enjoy Copperhill - just do so responsibily please. Come to Copperhill, spend time and enjoy! Thanks!

John Blankenship
Copperhill City Council
Copperhill Police Commissioner

Mr. Blankenship,
I was referring to a front page article in the August 18th edition of The News Observer that discussed the complaints of the owners of three different local establishments that were aired to the Copperhill Beer Board.

The owner of the Runway Bar & Grill said she counted police in her lot 11 times in one night. “When people put on their blinker to turn in, the officer would flash their blue lights. They would turn them off if the people didn’t turn in…when customers come out of the bar, police stop them, and when the customers ask why, the police say, ‘I thought you’d been drinking’…”.

The owner of the Curve Package Store has been in business for 30 years and this is his first complaint to the council. His problem is with police pulling into his parking lot and turning on the blue lights: “I know you’re doing your job, but it’s killing our business…people are not pulling in now”.

You were quoted as saying one has to do something to arouse suspicion, and I believe you. However, I also feel these owners have or had a legitimate complaint about this recent phenomena of “excessive” police presence in their parking lots. The issue is not that people are being stopped without probable cause, it’s that the alleged excessive presence for a town of just over 400 people is bad for business.

Nonetheless, I must say that I have patronized Copperhill for well over 5 years now and don’t recall even seeing a blue light flashing. Knowing what I know about small-town politics, it’s just another temporary spat that got out-of-hand and made it to the front page of the Blue Ridge paper.

Please know that by no means am I attempting to discourage folks from visiting Copperhill. It’s still the closest place where I can relax and legally be served a beer and a burrito, and I have never been harassed by anyone. However, I think my readers should be informed about these typically-provisional, smalltown anomalies so they can perhaps avoid some of the potential crossfire.

Thanks for the feedback Kip - we welcome it…

I just believe in verifying statements before they are taken as “facts”. So please remember that everything in the “court of public opinion” may not always be 100% accurate - and there is always 2 sides to every story.

No one wants Copperhill businesses to succeed more than I do. I would like nothing more than to have a town full of thriving quality food and beverage establishments, full of life, and successfully serving a thriving local and tourist trade. We’ve got a pretty river running right through the middle of our town, we’re about to become a hub for railroad tourism (when we get the Etowah train going..) and the town is vastly underutilizing these assets and their potential at present - especially given our strategic and unique location. If our town can develop a cohesive strategy and further develop a quality tourist and business atmosphere, we have a great future..

However, one also needs to keep in mind that for most upscale establishments to even consider locating in the town, there must be adequate (but not overbearing, of course..) public safety coverage 24/7.

A quality and visible police presence should not ever be bad for business in the least - to the contrary, our officers and department leadership should do everything within their power to help our town’s businesses succeed by helping insure a better quality of life in town, friendly and professional service, as well as a greater degree of safety and service for visitors as well. It’s unfortunate that Copperhill has had a checkered past with its Police Department, but I don’t believe the future has to equal the past and it’s certainly time for some new directions in town on several fronts. Let’s keep what’s great and works about our towns in place, but don’t be afraid to change where it makes sense. Hopefully, we will all begin to witness those positive changes in Copperhill as well as elsewhere in our beautiful region.

John Blankenship

I guess i will relocate in Copperhill. Who has the best realestate office?

I’m looking to move to the area and I like a beer out every now and again so Copperhill is looking better than Blairsville plus there isn’t any state income tax. Can anyone recommend a realator.

We can help you Carl…Click on my name for the details -& you’re right! I quit giving GA 6% of my income and love it!

JB

We’re relocating our business from Florida to Morganton. We feel the laid back environment of Fannin County, plus the overall ambiance will provide a great back drop for doing business. It is also an asset to have full service restaurants in the area for entertaining; hence, I feel the relaxation of the drinking laws will assist Blue Ridge in acquiring finer restauants. On the other hand, as a former Firefighter/E.M.T., most traffic fatalites I witnesses as rescuer involved alcohol. Folks simply need to respect their limits, period.

I have been reading the local paper for 15 years. There have been a few accidents involving alcohol but I don’t see it as a major problem. I haven’t kept an official tally, but I would say most of the accidents are related to excessive speed bad judgment or failure to maintain their lane. There are always the complaints on Aska road which didn’t have a speed limit until 2 years ago. Another problem area has been the left turn off of 515 into Taco Bell and Ingles. I don’t know how many people died there before the traffic light was put in. Many were elderly. Several have been killed since then. You also hear about motorcyclists killing themselves on the winding Hwy 60 between Morganton and Suches. It is probably one of the favorite roads in GA for them.

Alcohol kills, but people in Fannin seem to be doing it on their own without it.

Very interesting exchange of views. We are travelling from England for a vacation in Blue Ridge early October. Coming from a country where the ‘pub’ is commonplace and often a center of village social life I have to say we had the expectation of beer and wines being freely available. Could you clarify for me the situation on alcohol. Have I interpreted the local laws correctly,
1) I should not expect to be able to get a beer with my dinner in a restaurant.
2) Beer is available to buy in general stores - but not on Sundays ?
3) Some establishments will allow you to bring your own beer/wine with you - not a conecpt familiar in the UK !.

Still looking forward to the trip, even if I have to drag my bud up from Atlanta with me.

Kevin,
You summarized it very well. There are only 2-3 restaurants that accept “Brown Bagging” your own beverages. You can drive north about 10 miles to Copperhill, TN where you can purchase beer and wine with your meals. I’m not sure about the Sunday rules on this.
Early Oct. is apple season in N. GA. You might want to drive 20 miles south to Ellijay and visit some of the apple farms. Ellijay also has alcohol by the drink. It is also a great time to hike in the mountains.

I don’t drink, but I am all for beer & wine in restaurants but why do we keep calling it “liquor by the drink”? Those of us who know that our customers in this tourism based economy want to get a beer (one beer!) with their burrito are asking nice, as customers, or they are going to a neighboring county and economy. It’s just simple customer choice and we residents of Fannin County should wake up to the reality of it. Let’s start by calling it what it is… BEER & WINE IN RESTAURANTS. Not liquor…

PS - when is the Fannin County Sheriff’s Dept. going to get on the real problem of constant wrecks in front of Mercier Apple House on Hwy 5. Now there’s a real problem, and ironically it has to do with apples, not booze… let’s help Merciers out and get some live officer traffic control in front of one of our premier tourist attractions, at least on weekends and during tourist season.

Chip,
I agree with you on your terminology. I am guilty of calling it by the wrong name. I like “beer and wine served in restaurants” and think that is the direction that would be best.

I believe that the City of Blue Ridge has the anti “brown-bag” laws, thus restaurants located within city limits cannot allow folks to brown-bag, but the Fannin County restaurants that are located outside of the city limits can. The Union County referendum was defeated, barely, but state law says it cannot be brought back up for a vote for 2 years. With a new Fannin County Commissioner, let’s hope we will get our vote in this matter before too long. If we get a vote, it will be interesting to see how it turns out. We still have one more commissioner post election to get through, and the incumbent in this run-off is against alcohol sales in this county. Everyone thought Union was a shoe-in, but we forget that so many that come up here are weekenders, and are not registered to vote here. A lot of folks that grew up here have the attitude “it was like this when you came here, we’re not going to change for you” and, honestly, I can certainly understand their feelings. Personally, I came here to get away from the big city. But one can’t bury your head in a hole in the ground. This county has a much larger problem right now with meth, which is tearing up families. Personally I love a beer or margarita with my nachos, but I’ve adapted and make a damned good margarita at home!

I have a cabin in Cherry Log, and we go in to Blue Ridge alot, and love it here.
It would be nice to go to a restaurant and order a drink, after all this is almost 2007.

WAKE UP, PLEASE.

Having a drink in a restaurant is not I big deal for me since I live in Florida most of the time. I come to Blue Ridge for the beautiful scenary and very friendly residents. What a great place. I do like to go out and listen to live music, especially classic and southern rock. Can anyone tell me about the 515 bar and any other places that might have live music. My husband is a drummer and I know he is gonna want to hook up with other musicians at some point.

after reading your blog we have decided not to purchase our retirement home in blueridge–i am a retiring bldg official and my wife is a sheriffs dept crimes analyst–we cannot believe that you cannot get a drink with dinner or purchase hard liquor–much less the illegal behavior of your law enforcement for attacking your businesses and their patrons–we had hoped to relocate to your area and maybe work part-time using our talents to assist local govt–also thought about opening a small restaurant or tiki bar, however, the small mindedness of your officials has come to light before we made such a foolish mistake–we will move further north–thank you so much for being the voice of reason and for alerting us to such inane blue laws.

Hi Everyone,
My name is Rick, and as a current business owner, resident and ex-restaurant owner here in Blue Ridge, I thought that might try to shed some light on the issue of drinking in Blue Ridge. My partner and I have owned property here and have been enjoying Blue Ridge since 1996, finally moving here full-time in 2001. We own property in both the City and the County, and enjoy reading your comments about our, (and for many of you), your new homes here in the mountains. Welcome to you all.
As most of you all know, Fannin is a dry county, however, you may buy beer and wine at several locations around town, (within the CITY limits), and at the area supermarkets. You may NOT consume it in any establishment, public or private in the CITY. It was in approximately 2000 that the Ingles supermarket was “incorporated” (when it expanded to its current size) into the City limits allowing them to sell beer & wine. Prior to that it was the downtown local “beer barns” and the marina only.

We have two issues facing us “like minded folks” who would enjoy a good wine, or beer with a meal. First, we have a CITY government, and a COUNTY government, neither of which communicate with one another, and second, the elections for these officials in both are totally separate.
The City of Blue Ridge has approximately 831 registered voters and the county 15,000. (More on this later). *

In early 2003, several local restaurants took the COUNTY to suite over the issue of being able to pour beer and wine in their establishments. Apparently, at that time there was nothing on the books saying that they could NOT. The case gathered some steam, but finally fell apart. The County at that time, held some “town hall” style meetings, to discuss the idea of allowing these establishments to pour, and perhaps getting an amendment on a ballot for a proper vote. This never happened, however, as the local churches literally, bussed in their followers, and would not allow anyone who was “Pro” to speak or discuss the issue. One “reverend” went so far as to begin the meeting with a prayer which went as follows…”Father, do not make me condemn these commissioners to HELL for voting to bring liquor to our county”…. It was even stated that “what would be next? Pornography and then the Internet?” Seriously, these are direct quotes! I was there, my partner and I had just purchased a restaurant here, so, we definitely had an interest in the outcome, and we were at every one of those three town meetings. Needless to say, nothing ever got properly discussed or placed on a ballot.**
You can bet that we had a “much needed cocktail” after those meetings!

So much for the separation of Church and State in Fannin County Ga.

While this was going on, the CITY got wind of the law suite, and put forth the current “ordinance”, section 110.45-37. (Copies of this are available at City Hall.)
This “ordinance” is so absurd, that you will laugh at reading it. It “FORBIDS brownbagging, taking, or carrying, any alcoholic beverage or spirits into a business lawfully operating in the CITY….” One COULD “brownbag” in the city PRIOR to this.
Furthermore, it “forbids anyone to consume alcoholic beverages in a PRIVATE residence, or public accommodation within the city. It is expressly designed to prohibit “wine & cheese parties” & “brownbagging” at places of public accommodation within the City.” AND, (you will LOVE this part); “Except as part of a RELIGIOUS sacrament, or wedding reception, and only IN a CHURCH!
So, here in lies part of our problem, OWNERS of downtown buildings and those that have businesses in the CITY, and pay CITY TAXES, cannot VOTE to get these people out of office!

Believe me when I tell you that this situation is VERY frustrating, on both personal and professional levels. This sheds some light on problem number one.

Now to problem number two, the County. As many of you know, we just had county elections, and have a new set of county commissioners. The county commissioners can, with a stroke of a pen, put consumption of beer and wine up for a public vote.
The big fear, (among the local, full time residents) is that IF this is put to a public vote, the churches will again, bus in their followers, (and believe me, they are all registered voters), and the issue would get voted down. The big questions are these, are there more of “us” than there are “them”?
And is that what some of the commissioners might want anyway? A “NO” vote. PS, a “NO” vote on an amendment would hold for 2 years, thereby killing any hopes of change for another 2 years.
The commissioners may actually “say” that they are “FOR” getting alcohol to a ballot referendum, publicly, (but they are against it privately), and, some of them know, (with the strength of the local churches), if it goes before the voters, it more than likely would not pass.
That being said, I would like to encourage anyone who is NOT registered to VOTE to PLEASE GET REGISTERED IF YOU CAN, and VOTE!

Now some food for thought. As a full timer, I would like to see beer and wine available for consumption in the CITY LIMITS only, and ONLY to Restaurants with a percentage of sales coming from food. This would serve several goals. The first of which would give the CITY some MUCH need tax revenue, from the beer & wine sale, it would allow retailers to keep their shops open later, (thus generating more tax revenue), give our “Local” downtown restaurants a boost, and encourage foot traffic, in our amply lighted, safe, downtown. An added plus is that there is plenty of parking downtown at night.

Keeping beer and wine consumption in downtown also discourages “the big boys” like Outback, T.G.I. Friday’s et. from setting up shop downtown. Nothing wrong with any of these places, as they all serve the needs of those who enjoy them, but we all come here because it IS DIFFERENT!
Along that same line of thinking, we voters in these county elections need to be very careful. If we get beer, wine, and perhaps even alcohol in the COUNTY, we open the door to the “big boys” and we will look just like East Ellijay, with Longhorns, et. lined up on 515. Beer and Wine sales only in the county would be great, but as I mentioned above, I am not sure the voter ratios are there…. time will tell.

Additionally, if people coming into the area see familiar big name restaurants out on 515, will they come downtown to dine, if they cannot get a drink? Remember, what the county does will NOT affect downtown, (City of Blue Ridge). What then, would be the fate of all of our great little “Local” places to eat downtown?

Ideally, I think everyone would probably be happy with the ability to just be able to “brownbag” anywhere, City or County. The Mayor, could “rescind” ordinance 110.45-37 and most of us would be happy….
Again these are just some thoughts!

I hope this answers some of the questions out there, and I will stand behind my statements, as true. I also included sources for the actual numbers of registered voters, in the City and the County. *As of October 2006, the number of registered voters in the City of Blue Ridge was 831, and the County has just over 15, 000. The next Mayoral elections, (which include City Counsel Members), is in 2009. ** Also, I can recommend the New Observer, edition numbers, ( ), for additional information about the town hall meetings.
Peace,
Happy New Year Everyone!

Blue Ridge makes up there laws as they go, that’s why the churchs run the place and that’s why there’s a blue law!!!!

Most of the comments above sum up my thoughts so i won’t repeat them. I still live in Florida but have purchased a second home outside of Blairsville just off the lake. As pointed out above, you can’t buy any alcohol of any sort anywhere in Union County. So, you think you’ve got it bad in Fannin/Blue Ridge. Of course, it isn’t a problem for me now since i just bring whatever I want when I come up from Florida. The whole thing is so stupid…even in Blairsville, all you have to do is drive 15 minutes in any direction to buy beer and wine. The logic of all of this totally escapes me.

Anyway, I did want to add to the brief talk of the recent vote in Union County. It was to allow beer and wine by the drink in restaurants. Nothing else. Not surprising….the churches mounted a massive campaign against it and very similar to what is described above as happening in Fannin. Scare tactics and intimidation.

What is surprising is that the “no” voters won by only 50 votes…yes, just 50 votes….less than 1% of the total. So, don’t assume that the same result would occur in Fannin. Both Union and Fannin demographics have changed just in the last five years or so. Obviously, I couldn’t vote since Blairsville isn’t my permanent home. There are hundreds of people just like me who would have voted “yes” just to get the door open to reasonable additional alcohol laws. The “yes” vote would have easily carried if everyone who calls Union County home (even if only part-time) could have voted on the issue.

We will become permanent residents…one at a time….and be eligible to vote. Change will happen.

Hey everybody - let’s all get on the same page to be effective. We have to change the language to what is true, what we really want, so that those who sow fear and false language diminish. We want WINE & BEER IN RESTAURANTS so that Blue Ridge can prosper. Little restaurants and cafes that serve a glass of wine prosper and stay open longer hours, so merchants can stay open later, so more establishments open and prosper, so more art and cool shops come to town, so artists thrive, so tax revenue increases, so we can put more money into schools and fire trucks, so people don’t brownbag and finish that magnum of wine they brought in and drive home drunk, so there’s more safety and employment and happy spending tourists…. it’s all connected. Everybody now, WINE & BEER IN RESTAURANTS. Let’s never again say “liquor by the drink” because that scares people and it is not what we want. My 2c.

Wow,
We just rented a cottage for an upcoming week in the Blue Ridge Mt. area and planned on a beer or drink with dinner, what a surprise to find this mess!! What’s the fuss over beer, wine, alcohol?
I guess we bring our own and run the risk of “retribution upon invasion of privacy”.
Just a reminder to those who hold the “Bible belt” in their hands to ward off the real world.
Personal responsibility, and not ignorance, is a virtue
that Jesus has us strive for.

I grew up in Fannin County, actually in the City of Blue Ridge. I currently reside outside of Richmond, VA. I was in the last graduating class of West Fannin High School.(1976) The people of Fannin County and Blue Ridge, who wanted to drink, have never gone without alcohol. We could always go to Tenn. or NC. and buy anthing we wanted during the week and go to the bootleggers on Sunday and get beer or “white liquor”. We could not legally drink in public. I remember when the Pizza Hut first opened in Blue Ridge, I said it will never make it without beer, it is still there.
As you could imagine Blue Ridge was a very small town, with small town values and ideas. Now Blue Ridge has grown and the locals want to keep the small town values and ideas. People are very resistant to change. Personally I think it would be a good thing if Blue Ridge would do the right thing with the added tax revenue. I do not have much faith in that.
On the local’s side of the argument, people have moved up here FROM other places “why do you want to turn it into what you moved AWAY from?” Roads that were dirt are now paved.(If you are a local this is not always a good thing) That might be hard for some people to understand but it is true. If I know Blue Ridge politics this will still be a topic for years to come, but hey I was wrong about Pizza Hut!

Well, my wife, my brother and sister-in-law and I just got back from scouting out potential vacation properties in Blue Ridge, Mineral Bluffs and Cherry Log. The 4″ of snowfall was certainly beautiful, but the fact that we had to drive to Ellijay to find a semi-decent restaurant (Charley’s) was extremely frustrating.

Why on earth would anyone in their right mind plop down $300,000 + for a cabin in the woods where you can’t even get a decent meal and a glass or two of wine? (someone should remind these religous fanatics that Jesus’ first miracle was to change water into wine so the guests of the wedding in Canna could continue the celebration!).

Yes, it’s nice to get away from the “Big City”, but that should not mean that one should have to go back to the 19th century, like in the movie “The Village”.

It seems to me that if the residents of BR are more than willing to take the “heathen” city-slicker dollars, both in commerce and skyrocketing real estate prices, then they must also be willing to make accomodations. What scares me the most about the mindset of these people is that, as an Hispanic (long-time US citizen and earning 6 figures, thank you very much), how long is it before they start a campaign of retribution against us?

Hmmm, the mountains are nice once in a while, but when you can get a beachfront villa in Florida for a tad more and be amongst civilized people, my $$$$ is for staying in the Sunshine State.

George in Ft. Lauderdale

Its amazing the different things people expect out of a new area. What turns some people off, others strive for. I completed my vacation home last year and in a few years we will live there half the year. I love North Georgia for the beauty and good people, I could care less about restaurants. I work so much now I have to eat out a lot (Florida, of course), my goal is to shop at Ingels (I love it) and get back to home cooking. Can’t wait…..!!!!!

Pollye from the Space Coast.

BIll aren’t you the owner of the CABIN GRILLE and would you not make more money by being able to sell alcohol in your restaurant.

The News-Observer had a reader poll their newspaper, asking the general public if liquor by the drink should be served in Fannin County. 1,767 votes were cast, and it turned out that 60% of the public were in favor of it! I hope the County Commissioners are listening and paying attention! I believe an update to these laws will not change the overall beauty, tranquility or peace of our area, but allow our area to evolve. It will only help the tax base of the county, provide jobs for the area, and be a benefit to every homeowner in it. I believe that liquor by the drink in restaurants will bring some of the larger chain restaurants, but it will also bring some nicer private-ownership restaurants who will not consider our area now. Most restaurants need that revenue and profit-center to make their businesses survive. I do not see how these changes along Hwy 515 effect the homeowner who has a cabin up in the mountain areas! I do not understand all the people who say the area has changed for the worse, because of a few stores along the major highway. Our area needs the revenue and proper growth.

The News-Observer had a reader poll this past weekend, asking the general public if liquor by the drink should be served in Fannin County. 1,767 votes were cast, and it turned out that 60% of the public were in favor of it! I hope the County Commissioners are listening and paying attention! I believe an update to these laws will not change the overall beauty, tranquility or peace of our area, but allow our area to evolve. It will only help the tax base of the county, and every homeowner in it. It will also create jobs for the local workers. I do not understand those that complain about a few new stores and restaurants along the major highway. It does not effect the peaceful atmosphere of their cabins up on the mountain area. It only enhances the area by allowing visitors and locals alike a little more convenience and choice.

I recently became a property owner in Blue Ridge and someday plan to move there. I have been in law enforcement for over 25 years and have seen the effects of what drinking can do to the individual and the community. It would be a bad idea to bring this to the beautiful city of Blue Ridge and the Fannin County area. Leave it as it is!

Ron,

I agree with you that drinking can and does have a negative side in its potential affects on individuals and communities. Can you break down your observations based upon the source of the drinking? Do you see a difference in “negative behavior” in those consuming in bars (saloons) where liquor is sold, those consuming from purchases at liquor stores and those consuming beer or wine in an establishment where the primary source of revenue is sit down dinner sales where alcohol sales cease at 10:30 PM?

I don’t think anyone above is suggesting sales of liquor of any kind. No one is suggesting bars (saloons) whose primary purpose is entertainment and beverage revenue. Nor is anyone for selling any alcohol late into the evening.

I think most in favor would like to have beer or wine with a nice dinner.

Steve,
I understand what you are saying. Its true a lot of the problems, or negative behavior, as you put it, concerning alcohol drinking does come from bars & nightclubs in my area, not restaurants. But keep in mind that there are irresponsible people out there who can get just as impaired drinking hard liquor with their meals as someone sitting in a bar. Eventually you will begin to see problems arise in individual homes also. Domestic violence, for example, is in many cases due to the effect of drinking and you can most likely count on DUI arrests, accidents and other drinking related disturbances increasing in the area.
If only beer and wine purchases are allowed at certain times and in certain places (as I have read) leave it that way. I can tell you that this is more than enough responsibility for people to handle when it comes to this issue.
I hope, as you said, that no one is thinking of hard liquor sales. The point I am trying to get across is that one thing leads to another, especially with the alcohol issue. Now it’s just beer and wine in the restaurant. Next it will be hard liquor, mixed drinks and bars and saloons along beautiful 515 and in all its gorgeous surrounding areas. I hope it doesn’t come to that.

Ron said: “But keep in mind that there are irresponsible people out there who can get just as impaired drinking hard liquor with their meals as someone sitting in a bar.”

I’d say an overwhelming majority (90%) want beer & wine only. If they can keep it “dry” this long, we can live with beer & wine only for another 20 years.

My point is, it’s already here: you can buy beer & wine at the CVS and many restaurants allow brown-bagging. Who knows how much someone’s consuming in that situation? Personally, I’d rather the management serve folks; at least it hits a heavy drinker in the wallet more and a sober person or two is able to reasonably monitor abusive consumption and perhaps recommend another driver, etc.

The other point is that those that like to be served are driving elsewhere for dinner, and it’s a much longer drive after drinking. Which is logically safer for all?

Ron’s comment on 5/25 of: “If only beer and wine purchases are allowed at certain times and in certain places (as I have read) leave it that way. I can tell you that this is more than enough responsibility for people to handle when it comes to this issue. ” is pretty disturbing if I am understanding him correctly. If you are saying this is all that people are capable of being responsible for then I strongly disagree. I can’t imagine you really think everone would suddenly turn into a raving alcoholic because of “hard liquor”. People can drink responsibly. I would be more concerned about the meth problem than hard liquor of I were you.

Yeah… I can’t understand all the fuss around here about serving mature, responsible adults a legal substance (alcohol) when illegal and illicit drug use is so rampant. It certainly isn’t the tourists and second homeowners that are the focus of the drug epidemic in Fannin and surrounding areas - take all the energy that is used to poo-poo the thought of selling alcohol in nice establishments and turn it to reducing the illegal drug problem, and something productive would at least be happening.

This issue follows the same old pattern that I have found many times in the area. People would rather stand around and gripe and moan and complain about something among themselves, but they have NO intention whatsoever of getting involved to do anything about correcting it or bettering the situation- a total lack of initiative.. The ability to buy a glass of wine or a drink will come to Fannin, progress will not be stopped - its just a matter of timing at this point. There are already plenty of alcoholics who are part of the community in Fannin today without the ability to buy a drink in a restaurant - who is silly enough to think that alcoholics don’t have cars and can’t just drive to the next county (a much worse situation IMO)…

So what if he does? If Bill makes more money, He’ll spend more money-and everybody wins! Duh!!!!

Sara,
I don’t know what you find disturbing, but yes I am saying beer and wine served in certain places and at certain times is enough responsibility for people to cope with when it comes to the drinking issue.
I didn’t say, “everyone would turn into a raving alcoholic” because of hard liquor sales, as you have mentioned.
But you can bet the problems I previously stated will begin to amount if that occurs.
As one writer said, a lot of people don’t respect their limits when it comes to this issue.
All that it is going to take is for one drunk driver to get involved in a major accident, injuring or killing a family or someone going to church, out to eat, visiting or on vacation, etc.; or that one drunk who kills someone during an argument. That one drunk who only had a few mixed drinks with his/her meal at a restaurant. I think some attitudes will change then.
One writer stated that there are plenty of alcoholics around that are already part of the community. If that problem already exists, why add to it?
And I am concerned about the meth problems in the area that I have read about. I do agree that this is more of a problem than the drinking liquor in a restaurant issue. I’m sure the local law enforcement authorities are doing their best to combat the drug problem with the resources they have. But that is a whole different subject.
I live in an area where these problems already exist. In my law enforcement career, I have dealt with some of them first hand.
I don’t enjoy bringing up these negatives, especially about a place like the Blue Ridge area, which I absolutely fell in love with the first time I saw it. But I am just trying to get my point across.

The problem is alcohol is a legal item. You can not legislate “good sense” into people no matter how hard you try and you can not protect people from themselves. It is not government’s job to say we think you are too stupid to govern yourself and we know better than you. That sounds like every teenager’s mother to me. These are adults we are talking about.

Alcohol is a legal item, meth is not. I looked up some ingredients found in crystal meth and for those people who do not abuse cough syrup and drain cleaner these items have not been run out of town. Sure some cough syrup is sold behind the counter only by pharmacists but it is still sold I believe in Fannin county. Trying to use fear to keep hard liquor out of town is just antiquated in its logic of “a lot of people don’t respect their limits” so we have to protect them from themselves and protect the public from them. Would I want one of my family members killed by a drunk driver… of course not. But waving that flag of this is what will happen is just wrong headed. There are people everywhere who do not respect their limits in a million different areas of their lives - speeding, not checking their blood sugar daily if they are a diabetic, or smoking.

The scare tactic is the lowest of lows. I realize it is based on real world stuff you have seen but there are plenty of people who can enjoy responsibly. It seems better to take a small town and work together to raise alcohol awareness, and keep kids from going down a path towards alcoholism if they leave dry Fannin County than just shut everything down and not talk about it. That always seems to make things worse because people always do stuff you don’t want them to but then they just don’t tell anyone and don’t get the help they need.

The people who are coming into Fannin and love to spend time here need to REGISTER TO VOTE IN FANNIN, & VOTE IN FANNIN!!!! This would put an end to much of this silliness that is going on with regard to serving alcohol and other issues.

A strong presence at the voter registration office and a LOT of voter registration transfers from other areas and other states would start getting some “local” attention real quick, I’d be willing to bet. The voice of reason and positive progress would then finally start to be heard most likely!

Sara,
If I am correct about what you wrote, that you consider my comments on the drinking issue a scare tactic, (and the drinking issue is what we are talking about now), you are wrong and right. I don’t know how many people read these comments, but if making someone aware of a potential wrongdoing, like drinking and driving, etc., and its consequences, can stop and make them think then maybe it can be viewed as a scare tactic.
If it can save a life or correct a problem, then call it what you may. I only want everyone to realize what can occur if more alcohol sales are allowed in the area and drinking becomes a bigger issue.
It appears that the majority of people reading this blog are for new alcohol laws enabling them to drink more. It’s true that no one can stop someone from bringing it with them, going home and drinking all they want. But I hope these same people don’t get behind the wheel of a car or start some sort of disturbance that gets out of hand if they drink too much.
When you said “responsiblity” you said it all. I worry about the ones who are not.
I couldn’t agree with you more about talking alcohol awareness with the children and adults and steering them in the right direction. That direction, in my point of view, is informing them of all the potential dangers of alcohol drinking and getting them involved in other interests and not drinking at all.
I know we live in the real world and some people will do what they want no matter what anyone says. Like I said previously, I love Blue Ridge and I would just like it to remain the beautiful, peaceful area that it is and for everyone in it to remain safe.

Wow!!! This stuff is wild, being from California and purchasing a new home in Young Harris, Ga..The time is now for all backwoods, fanatic minded people to get with the times.. We are coming and it is going to change.. Register to vote!!!

Amen Dude!! (you get that ’cause your from Cali.. )

All newcomers get thyself to the voter registration offices ASAP!!!! No delay…. Heck, after you’ve been here long enough to qualify, just go ahead and run for office yourself! Chances are, you’ll be a lot more qualified than many of the ones who have been doing it for far too long around here!! I’m dead serious. This area could be truly amazing with some smart, well-educated, well-traveled, experienced people holding some key leadership positions and running the governments in an efficient manner and making positive and much needed change. It can happen, it just takes determination.

I agree with all of the comments about new Fannin County citizens registering to vote - and voting. Nothing will change until more non-local voters are added to the polls. As far as running for office, you won’t have a chance until the new citizens register to vote. The first item always listed in candidates’ qualifications is “born and raised in Fannin”. You don’t have a chance today if you can’t say that.

One of the problems with getting newcomers to register to vote is the fact that for many of them this is a second home. Those from Florida have an incentive to keep their Florida residency because they don’t have to pay state income tax. The Georgia legislature tried to get this changed for Georgia retirees in the past session but it failed. If this is changed in the next year or two I think you will see more out of state retirees with second homes in Fannin becoming Georgia residents.

Well, in that case - much of rests with the metro area of Atlanta sending us more and more people (and ATL IS one of the fastest growing major metros in the U.S. lately, so that bodes well for change in Fannin and all of N. GA - and the old guard’s power will be diluted eventually) - and thank goodness Atlanta is one of the best cities in the country for attracting well-educated and ambitious young people who have great ideas… and as more of them become familiar with N. GA - well, you get the idea….

ATL residents are already GA residents, so all that needs to happen is they switch which county they vote in… easy enough… the old timers are NOT as invincible politically as some would have you believe….

Me Not being a drinker my self I still would like to see people who want to sit down after a long days work and have a beer with supper be able too. It should be our choice not anyone else’s. If you don’t want a beer don’t buy one. Plus why does everyone worry about what kind of pay anyone is making that is none of your buisness. Everyone are not worry about what you are making are they?

When people comment on the blog, about how the Blue Ridge Area is going to change, I hope they are not just talking about the drinking issue. If that is their main focus, then I forsee major problems. My previous comments explain how I feel about that. I do believe minimal changes can be useful to the people and the economy of Fannin County, but that, NO. I agree Blue Ridge should not remain in the dark ages but property and property owners especially need to be smart and not just think about making a dollar on this. And the people coming to visit or move there should not just think about where they can drink or how much alcohol they can consume. What about the land that would be destroyed to accommodate these establishments and businesses? I know the building issue is another subject, but I had to mention it. All this can turn people away also. I am looking forward to moving there one day so I can vote and hopefully make a difference on some things. But all I can do now is voice my opinion on these issues.

MINIMAL Changes? There are many things that need to change around the area for it to be the best that it can be… keep the good (natural beauty and assets, sense of community and friendly atmosphere ((at least friendly in MOST cases, but not all..)) ), but dont be afraid to change where necessary to make the area more appealing and livable to quality future residents and visitors, not to mention the ones already here (”locals” included). Most people expect quality entertainment and food and drink establishments that compliment the natual beauty where they can enjoy a drink - most of the world (except some Muslim countries) dosent have a problem with this - guess Fannin is in the same league as Saudi Arabia on this issue, huh? The stubborness, intolerance and ignorance that sometimes manifests itself in North Georgia is amazing - especially on silly and/or trivial issues. Meanwhile, the things that should be getting MAJOR attention (like land use planning and architectural standards and control) go wanting for YEARS because everyone is so busy bickering over silly things like whether or not to allow serving someone a glass of wine in a restaurant. Let’s all get a clue, people!

I already am registered to vote here and really do love the area and want the best for it, but I am not afraid to admit that there are many things that are less than perfect about this place. If anyone really opens their eyes, they will see it too. Fear of change (for no rational reason) may actually be at the top of that list. Let’s face it, the world is becoming a smaller place anywhere you look, not just around here. Improvements in communications and transportation will only continue this trend. In our immediate surroundings, Georgia is one of the fastest growing states in the United States and will only continue to add population, especially in the Metro Atlanta area and north (meaning here in Fannin, duh!!). Atlanta is recently ranked as the fastest growing metro area in the country. I can be from Blue Ridge to Canton (an outer Atlanta suburb) in less than 60 minutes thanks to GA 515. So can other people, including the thousands that are coming into our state and settling in Cherokee County, Georgia and other points north of Atlanta. This isn’t necessarily bad, but it must be recognized and not ignored if we are to make the best of it.

If there are going to be “major problems” if someone is allowed to purchase a drink of alcohol, then please list specifically what those problems will be. If you are referring to increased drunk driving, well we already have plenty of that now, due to people drinking their own booze they most likely bought down the road in Ellijay and that they proceeded to consume on the way back home to Fannin - then they probably get drunk about the time they hit the Fannin line - real safe for our families, huh? At least if they can sit in a restaurant or bar, they would be more likely to remain until they are safe to drive, or the establishment (if it is responsible) will assist them in getting home safely. If the problems are increased alcoholism, well I’ve already seen plenty of alcoholics who already live here - every community (dry or not) has people who have alcohol-related dependencies, so what? Why have other counties in North Georgia (Lumpkin County & Dahlonega, for one) recently allowed alcohol sales by the drink without major issues. They seem to be embracing the future and building toward it, rather than hiding under the blanket, hoping the future will just go away - surprise, it wont!

Please back up your vague rhetoric with some facts other than “alcohol sales will cause problems” - as I said, we already have these problems, so alcohol won’t change a thing that isnt already going on around here.

It’s true I don’t live in Blue Ridge, yet, and my only info is from my occasional visits and the Blue Ridge blog, but I think you are wrong when you say “serving alcohol won’t change a thing that isn’t going on already.” If you already have these problems, why add to them? If passed, you know the privilege will eventually be abused. And as far as backing up my specific rhetoric, as you say, I guess you haven’t read my previous comments in which I stated the specific problems that could occur.
And yes, I agree land use planning, building control, etc., does deserve as much, if not more, attention than alcohol issues. But there has to be more than alcohol to bring people to Blue Ridge. If you have read my other blogs, you’d know my feelings, views and concerns about this issue, so I really don’t know what else to say for now. But I will say this again, I just hope everyone remains safe.

I dont hear of any opposition to adding more “feeding trough” type restaurants like Ryans Steakhouse or Golden Corral, etc. in any towns anywhere, although many Americans suffer from compulsive and overeating disorders - a problem that costs America greatly in health care dollars, family tragedies (due to premature death from unhealthy lifestyles) and its impact on survivors, and other social costs that amount to billions and billions of dollars a year. So whats the difference? As you say, why keep adding to the problem of obesity in America? Ban biggie size fries and colas at the fast food restaurants along 515 in Blue Ridge and I bet you Fannin County would be “better off”.

The concept is called personal responsibility, sir!

If people in Fannin cannot be trusted to order alcohol responsibly, then why should they be trusted to order biggie colas, fries and cigarettes responsibly - all of which are currently being abused rampantly by certain people in this county as well.

If lack of beer keeps you away,then you need to stay gone….

I the out of town folk dont like the local laws,but love the laws of where they are living now.Then why not stay settled where you are ? I love the low population,clean water and highways and our local govenment. The more laws that are changed the more problems that come with it especially alcohole. Most of the citizens moving to the area are looking to get away from the overcrowding and crime,they are not in search of alcohole so please dont base all youre plans on drinking there is alot of good in our area……..

I have worked many of these motorcycle accidendts and cannot remember any of riders being from fannin.

Because Sir, this is America…. We are all free to go live where we want to live and be where we want to be.. AND make our opinions known and our voices heard wherever in this great land that happens to be from Maine to Hawaii, OK - including Blue Ridge, Georgia! As Americans we are free to go move anywhere and live that we want in our country and enjoy the same freedoms and liberties that we enjoy anywhere else, big city, small town, rural area - it dosen’t matter… and we are free to work together properly to change laws as U.S. citizens.

If someone from Blue Ridge chooses to go to Atlanta (and plenty of them actually HAVE over the years for better opportunities that they probably wish they could have had in this area), Miami, New York or Chattanooga and speak up for what they feel is right in making their new community or city a better place, how many people in those places would tell them to shut up and go back to their little town, huh? I can tell you, not many.. So why should it be any different here? Evaluate the merits of the alcohol serving law on the good it will do to the economy, jobs it will create, opportunity that it will provide and the way it affects EVERYONE - new arrivals and natives alike.

And what does serving alcohol have to do with low traffic congestion, littering, crime and overcrowing? Not much… I can take anyone to plenty of communities where alcohol is served freely and openly that are much cleaner, less crowded, and less crime infested than many dry North Georgia Counties, truth be told. Anyone who’s been around the U.S. any can probably say the same thing too… Let’s talk facts and take the smokescreen scare tactics out of these discussions.

Bill,

I never said the motorcyclists were from Fannin. My point was that they died in Fannin.

Beer is served in Copperhill (10 miles north of Blue Ridge) in restaurants 7 days per week- you may also purchase carry-out (package) beer in Copperhill on Sundays (unlike Georgia).

We went through the same thing for years trying to get drinks by the glass approved to include Sunday here in Dawson County. In the end it was soundly approved by the voters after being placed on the ballot and made known. You can almost say it took door to door to let voters know. Even after approval, the process to get the license just barely moved ahead. Today we enjoy many fine restaurants and consumption per capita is about the same as it was when we had to drive south toward Atlanta and back. The reasons used to block the sale by the drink are really sad and thinking people can overcome.

It looks like the commissioners one out of three voted to “yes” for beer and wine in restaurants. Now it may go to a “vote” in February-meaning not just beer and wine but all alcohol! WOW now that would be real progress!!!

Be careful for what you wish for…….

We are proud owners of a cabin in Blue Ridge. The mountainside views and the charm of the city cannot be duplicated. We are full-time residents in another beautiful part of the country, S. Fla. Our beaches, job opportunities and fine dining are well-known. I do, however, make note that our thoroughfares are congested with chain restaurants which are built on top of each other with neon signs bigger than the one before. The food is at best (and I am being kind), mediocre. It is no surprise that the revenue from these chain restaurants is made off of profit from liquor sales and NOT from QUALITY food.

The wine/beer issue would, in my opinion, better serve the residents of Blue Ridge. The quality of restaurants would improve and refreshments could accompany a nice meal. Job opportunities would become available to enhance the real estate market. If liquor is the issue, perhaps a 20 minute ride to Ellijay would serve those who must have hard-liquor either with a meal or for entertainment. With the commotion of big box stores, how about the appearance of chain restaurants? They will be equally repulsive to the eye. After all, do you really want to look like Ellijay (in front of Wal-Mart)?

Once voted in, the appearance of Blue Ridge will forever be altered.

I am a Floridian who owns property in both gilmer and fannin. In order to be honest and transparent I will admit that I am a restauranteur. I will also say that I love blue ridge for what it is, both the land and the people. One of the things that makes this country great is that (for the most part) indigenous municpal government can choose its destiny and have what they want and negate what they don’t. As outsiders we have no right to tell locals what to do or not to do. That being said, we cannot control is the economic climate. Big business continues to squeeze the little guys (and girls) out of the picture. Just look around Blue Ridge. You can throw tax revenue stats out there to make a point, but what about jobs. Restaurants employ more people in this country then any other sector, about 12.8 million in fact. Also it is one of the few industries where the playing field is still level with regard to small business.

Fannin County folks I am sure will vote in their best interests, but cannot have it both ways with regard to their respective expectations. Everything will be affected by this decision especially since Fannin generates a large part of its economic base from tourisim. Real Estate and then the building trade will be next.

Rick, I read your comments and my jaw hit the floor. ( it didnt have far to travel, as I am quite short ). It is amazing to me that this stuff actually still goes on in this country with regards to ” men of the cloth”. Messanic complexes are very scary indeed.

i am a resident of union county,we don,t even sell alcohol.but on our roads we have alien beer cans from other counties and we recieve no tax benifits from.
for the so called locals that were lucky to have been born here and i mean lucky ,you need to see the light and the major problems that are arising from the construction slow down iwas just in blue ridge today the 1st of oct the great restaurants we have here are empty at dinner time the ones in gilmer are packed.the restaurants usually have all the builders in them ,maybe no building going on?

You certainly are free to go where you want and by your logic you are free to come and screw up the area for people who have lived here for hundreds of years.

I and my family have lived here for thos hundreds of years.

I find these people who come and say ” oh how pretty ” , ” what a nice place , lets move here ” and then decide to ” make things like they were back home” to be nothing more than troublemakers , people who live to mess up the lives of everyone else and cry about how backward we are here.

Guess what , we , the indigenous people of the area , do not want you here .

I am not a minister and I am not coming to your areas of the state or country trying to change the way things are there.
I am saying that if we are so backward and you dont like the laws that have served us well all our lives and lead to this ” pretty ” place , this ” nice ” place , then you are free to not be here and you will not be missed.

if you feel the need to be a drunk , go somewhere that thinks it is fine for you to be a drunk.

if you do not like what I am saying then feel free to realize that I do not care and that I refuse to be PC or go quietly into the night .

this citizen is voting NO and is urging everyone else I know to vote NO

too bad there isnt a HELL NO on the ballot

good , there has been too much building and sacrificing of the countryside to the urban sprawl of Atlanta

again in cas anyone missed it

go away , we dont want you here.

Sir Authur,
The Cherokee were here way before inbreeding was a twinkle in your clan’s eye. And history proves we didn’t want you here either, but here you are.

I can offer you some advice to defer what imminent change has in store for you & your people: tell them to stop selling their land for profit. Or accept that change is a part of the life cycle: evolve, adapt, cope, & love all as yourself. Or die out.

Hey Arthur
No one is going away… anywhere - your little Fannin county gene pool is being diluted, little by little - open your eyes and look around…. Get used to it! In fact, it’s time someone poured some bleach into that little gene pool! Ha!

Why don’t all you scared of change people just pack it up and start moving to West Virginia somewhere where you can have a few more years of things the only way you know and like… Or better yet, start getting a clue about the changing world you live in! By the way, it dosen’t end at the Fannin county line…

I don’t think people in Blue Ridge are backwards at all, our son has been living there for awhile now and most everyone has been incredibly nice, these are good people, what is the problem? I have to say i agree with Sequoya, there is a way to live without hatred in your heart and if you can’t you’re not really living.
Beer and wine in restaurants might be a good compromise, I agree that hard liquor is not necessary but small local businesses are good for everyone and of course they bring in new people and ideas, uh oh,
but wait, isn’t that how our country started in the first place?
And, of course, our country started by pushing aside the really indigenous people so none of us are innocent, are you really for real Arthur?

AMEN!!!!!

Does any of it really matter? Honestly, the newcomer thing has already destroyed everything the mountains stood for, all that’s left is the flopping of an already dead fish fighting for that one last breath. If you don’t like the way we do things, you shouldn’t have come here. And now here will become everything you ran away from. Thanks alot.

Elizabeth,
Well said and it matters. I’m not a native or even residing there yet, but I couldn’t agree with you more. I hope it doesn’t come to that, but there is more than one breath left. It’s not destroyed yet.

You say that you and your husband love Fannin County. Why? Is it because of the peace and quiet? Is it because of the beautiful undisturbed mountains and landscape? Is it because Fannin county is a little different that most other places that you have been? Just a different way of life maybe, that sets it apart. And, you say that you and your husband love it here. Then why would you seek to change what you like about Fannin county? I can tell you for certain that if drinking laws are changed in Fannin County, you will loose all the things that you love about Fannin County. People come to Fannin county to escape the madness where they live and then they want to bring the very madness that they are trying to escape, to Fannin County, and destroy what they came here for in the first place. You would destroy it for your self and for all the Native Fannin countians. We don’t want your madness here, if we did we would be coming to your home town and you would not be coming to ours.

I don’t miss loud bars and restaurants that serve alcohol. The brown bagging gets me, though. Most of the people I see doing it are older senior citizens, who have a hard time driving the mountain roads sober.
If you don’t like a dry town, don’t move to one. If you want to drink, bring it with you, but don’t try to shove alcohol down the throats of people who don’t like it. These towns VOTED against alcohol sales. Get over it. I’m not basing my opinion on religion, I feel the way I do because I just moved from the “night club” atmosphere of a big city. It is nice not to listen to some jerk being loud because he’s had too much to drink.

I totally agree with Elizabeth. The new comers needs to get their alchol fix before coming to the mountains, we like it just the way it is here. Bars and loud restaurants only toxicate what we have made beautiful.

If I am going to be at a cabin in Fannin Co. Saturday, is there a sports bar where I can find the GA, GA Tech, or any college football game? Anything near Fishhook Pointe.

Is there a sports bar or anyplace I can find the GA, GA Tech, or any college football game in Fannin Co. We will be staying at Fishhook Pointe.

Joe,

It doesn’t make any difference where you are, you will need to leave the county to find a sports bar. Your best bet is going to be someplace like Longhorns in Ellijay (in order to be in a non hostile location because of team selections). Copperhill, TN has bars but they may be more inclined to watch Knoxville games.

Steve

Interesting Fannin County comments. Having lived in Hall County when alcohol was made legal I have heard it all before.
Some of you touched on the real way to control this, but it doesn’t look like you are doing anything.

You know what I am going to say….BE/STAY INVOLVED. You don’t get involved when the announcement of a liquor vote is made. As an example, someone could have been active on the futures committee (there is one - right?) so that not only do you see issues coming, you are able structure your municipality and it’s regulations to help protect what you love.
I drink. You will never convince me that anyone should be served in a public place and then allowed to drive. Other ares in the world you have to handover you keys if you order a drink….and yes you take a cab or desig driver home. Having said that I would ask if it is safe for a smoker (regular smokers are addicted) who has not smoked for hours to drive…..when do you start shaking and lose concentration from low nicotine. What about those who are being treated with medication….how do you keep them from driving? You don’t stop any of them by con trolling the source……you do stop them by passing and enforcing a heavy duty vehicular responsibility ordinance, that imposes painful penalties for poor judgement….regardless of the source. Now everyone is equal and no one will think you will enforce things. A few examples and you will make belivers of the rest.
Hey! Didn’t I just say the equivalent of hold people accountable for their actions, instead of spending everyones money trying to regulate how people live their life.

the new restaurant Bordertown in the new Cohutta feed complex behind cadence bank will be getting a pouring licese also keep in mind …. its amazing food and the atmosphere is so fun we had a party there for the holidays and we have never had so much fun ….. the service was laid back,fun and fantastic , the food was wonderful , homemade at that and we were even able to throw peanuts on the floor and write our name on the wall …. probably some of the nicest people in the town they are right outside of city limits and have built on a entertainment room where they will start playing live bands on the weekends … and comedy night during the week …. it’s about time Blue Ridge got soemthing like this …. they are set for success !!! go try them out i know we will be there ….time and time again ….

Just want to be sure everyone knows that brown bagging is now officially illegal in ALL parts of Fannin County and the City of Blue Ridge (effective April 1, 2009). Cucina Rustica has their pouring license and is offering a nice selection of beer and wine with the meals. You’ll have to phone El Sol to see if they are serving yet - if they aren’t yet they should be any day now. There will be more restaurants to follow, but it will take a little time as the City of Blue Ridge has to draft their ordinance to regulate the issuance of licenses.

Does anyone know what the reasoning is for making brown-bagging illegal? Many restaurants that serve wine allow people to bring their own bottle and pay a corking fee. Even if a restaurant sells wine/beer, we enjoy bringing our own bottle at times.

The reasoning is to have the owners pay for the license. Outside city limits the fee is 10k.
If folks can’t bring their own or get it there they will go elsewhere. Taccoa Riverside just had their license suspended.

The reason “Brown Bagging” was made illegal is that it is a State Law. Once the County, and the City voted in the pouring licenses, the county and city give up the right to Brown bag. It has nothing to do with forcing people to get a license.

I must disagree with “Brown Bagging” being a state law. I know of several restaurants in Atlanta that have liquor, wine and beer licenses that also promote “Bring your favorite wine” with corkage fees.

Steve, while I agree that there are restaurants in the Metro area that allow “Brown Bagging” my understanding is that “Brown Bagging” is something of a privledge, which each county has the right to use or not.
Seems that once THIS county chose to pour it gave up the privledge….
I’m a Chef, not a lawyer! So, maybe we could both do some more research, and see what we can find out!
I would still like to be able to “Brown Bag”.
Good imput! Thanks!

Rick, I agree with you. The ordinance prohibiting Brown Bagging in Fannin County is local. My guess is that it is there for two purposes: somewhat appease those against all alcohol and force restaurants to purchase a $10,000 license if they want to survive.

It will be interesting to see what the price of a license will be in the City of Blue Ridge.

Imput? First it’s a state law- then a county privilege. You are right- you are no lawyer.

I find it amazing how precious your desire/need to have a drink with your dinner has become.

Speaking from first hand experience, most of the restaurants around here will need a LOT more than a beer and wine license to succeed.

And from my perspective the “local” business owner and his “partner” who seem to have such ANGER with just about everything in this wonderful community, should find someplace else that doesnt make them so very upset.

Blue Ridge is a simply wonderful place to live. The fact that most of the people here embrace a mindset regarding alcohol that was prevelant 30 years ago, is the same reason that our schools are still safe, that we dont have to lock our doors when we leave home, and the kindness that the people that grew up here show to strangers is greatly different than the sour grapes, finger pointing, high-handed, better than, attitude shown by a few folks that have moved here, and think their value set should be in charge.

Why in the world do you think so many people move here? Yes its beautiful. But its the people, that kinder, slow paced, neighbor feeling that makes Blue Ridge the wonderful place that it is.

For me, I just dont care that much one way or the other about alcohol sales. But bullshit, is bullshit, and it stinks every bit as much on the internet as is does on the chip on your shoulder.

I love this town. For all its faults, and for all it wonders. If you feel you need to move to Ellijay so you can have a friggen coctail with your burrito, I hope you want to learn spanish. The “progressive” thought you endorse has led to their crime rate tripling in 10 years whilst Blue Ridge remains the same.

For me, the same is OK.