Alcohol sales approved for Super Bowl Sunday in Blairsville

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Sunday sales

BLAIRSVILLE, Ga: Superbowl Sunday is right around the corner, Sunday, February 7. Blairsville City Council approved Sunday alcohol sales for local businesses on that day only.

Ordinarily, Blairsville doesn’t allow Sunday sales, but this coming weekend, the council is making an exception. Restaurants with alcohol licenses can serve alcoholic beverages, but it must be consumed on the premises.

Alcohol sales can begin at 12:30 p.m. and last until Midnight that Sunday. However, it won’t carry over to next Sunday or next year’s Super Bowl Sunday. It’s a one-time approval.

Blairsville Police Chief Michael “Bear” Baxter told council member Mary Ruth Cook, “I don’t think it will affect anything that we do…We’ll still be policing. It won’t make any difference to us.”

In other words, the Blairsville Police Department will be patrolling the streets. Anyone choosing to partake in alcohol consumption should practice safe drinking, know their limits, and designate a driver for the evening.

According to the CDC, 38 million Americans drink too much, and 17 billion binge drinks are consumed annually. Binge drinking is considered four or more beverages in one sitting for women and five or more in one sitting for men.

Graphic courtesy of CDC

To drink in moderation, the CDC encourages one drink a day for women and up to two drinks a day for men.

The passage of resolution 2021-01 follows OCGA 3-3-7(r), which states:

“Notwithstanding any other provisions of law, in all counties or municipalities in which the sale of alcoholic beverages is lawful for consumption on the premises, the governing authority of the county or municipality, as appropriate, may by adoption of a resolution or ordinance authorize the sale of alcoholic beverages for consumption on the premises from 12:30 p.m. until 12:00 midnight on one Sunday during each calendar year that shall be designated in such resolution or ordinance. Any sales for consumption on the premises made pursuant to this subsection shall be subject to such terms and conditions as may be required by the governing authority of the county or municipality.”

Blairsville City Council previously approved Sunday sales for New Year’s Eve 2017.

The CDC also encourages small gatherings for the Super Bowl because of COVID-19. They fear large groups will result in a super spreader event.

Retirement Recognition

Ottis Franklin retired from his post as the water, sewer, and street maintenance department’s supervisor on January 31, 2021. He worked for the city for 36 years, beginning January 1, 1985.

“Needless to say, Ottis has been here a while,” Mayor Jim Conley said.

“I’ve been blessed to work here all these years,” Franklin stated. “I’m going to leave it in good hands. They’ve been around a long time too. They know what’s going on.”

Conley echoed that the city has benefited from good employees.

The city promoted Curtis Corn to water, sewer, and streets maintenance supervisor t to replace Franklin. 

Additional Business 

The city council also approved amending their yearly library contribution by $500. The 2021 operating budget already included the change. 

They also authorized the purchase of a New Holland B95 CSC backhoe from Nelson’s Tractor for water and sewer maintenance for $67,376 and trading in the existing backhoe.

38 city streetlamps will be upgraded with LED systems from City Plumping and Electric for $16,094.12. The new lights will provide more light around the square area.

The city council hired Kay Wilcox as a temporary accounting clerk.

They also hired Rod Carey.

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