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The truth of the matter is that we're alienating business in the form of restaurants who would build here if there weren't a liquor-by-the-drink provision. I have yet to see a decent establishment full of drunkards who served alcohol. You can just as easily find plenty of foolish people running around in the community who are drunker than skunks without looking in an establishment that serves alcohol with meals. Just imagine steak houses and perhaps even a seafood joint here in the county. Not only would we benefit from more choices, but the tax revenue garnered from such a high profile establishment would help our coffers as well. If you have a problem with liquor-by-the-drink, then don't frequent that place of business. I just don't see why everyone around you should have to bend to your will. Argue all you like about the "dangers of alcohol", but while we're at it let's ban fat people from visiting McDonald's or smokers from purchasing tobacco.

PS. When I say "you", I'm referring to those who are opposed to liquor-by-the-drink for religious reasons.

We are behind the 8 ball now with LBTD issue. It would have been good to passed it ten or so years back. Now that Ft. Payne and coming soon as the Wal-Mart did to Lookout Valley, there won't be any need for such places to eat at. We will always have the resturants that we have, and there is nothing wrong with them. But growing the revenue with them just isn't want people want these days. You have to be able to keep up with the times.

It's the same old argument the left makes against our "right to bear arms". I've actually had a debate with someone who argues the "morality" of owning guns. Just as "guns don't kill people, people do", so it is with the use of alcohol, tobacco, and food. Don't see many people arguing against LBTD around here jumping on the bandwagon (as is happening in other parts of the USA) about banning fatty foods in McDonald's, do we?

Sadly, too many in our county exhibit the pattern of the liberal around our country: we are not responsible for our own choices. If I'm intoxicated, it's the fault of the drink; if I eat too much, it's because the food had too high a fat content; if I ruin my reputation through dishonesty and immorality, it's the fault of the one who shed light on my behavior because they had a negative agenda against me.

It was indeed discussed at the GOP meeting before the elections back in 2008. There were a few outspoken people who were so rankled by the fact that we would dare to even consider such a thing that they threatened to quit the party if we were to bring it up. Naturally, everyone was afraid of hacking off some people in the community so it was shot down. The general consensus was that if the GOP brought it to the table, the Dems would use it as a rallying point. You'd think that this would be a topic that both parties would want to meet and agree on since it affects the county as a whole rather than just a party.

Well I still will say it's a little late on this issue because everone around us has done been there and done that. You would be amazed at the people who live in Dade County that eat at those places that they would vote to keep out of Dade County. I think it's funny and make it a big deal because it spurs some in the side, but deep down I know the powers will never let it happen. Between the land owners (good ole boys) and the politicians (also good ole boys) this county will ride the backs of the taxpayers and nothing will change in this county except for maybe the faces of the good ole boys from time to time.

Those who are arguing the merits of this issue were probably not here when it came up last 11 years ago. The County Commission slipped the item into a meeting without advertising it and got it on the ballot. The previous commission meeting it was on the agenda and you couldn't squeeze another person into the building where the meeting was held. To make a long story short, it was on the ballot and lost by a 4:1 margin and every commissioner who had voted to put it on the ballot was removed from office the next election cycle. LBTD is the 3rd rail of politics in Dade County. If you want to get thrown out of office, and heaven knows we could use some "change", go ahead and come out in favor of LBTD.

There are a lot of other things that the county, but mostly the state, could do to lure business here but this isn't going to be one of them anytime soon. Tom Graves, who is running to replace Nathan Deal, sponsored a bill that would have lowered corporate tax rates and eliminated a lot of fees and taxes that would have brought business to Georgia. Sonny Perdue vetoed it after it passed the House and Senate.

You get the government, at all levels, that you deserve.

Yea, we feel like real Christians when we vote against it but have no problem eating and some even take a nip ever now and again. We still want to ask questions on the ballot like " Do we once again want to change our form of goverment?" While everone around us is getting things done, we still are looking for where we left the tools. By far I'm not saying that LBTD is the answer but it sure was funny that night that it was brought up at the Republician Party meeting. I think it's funny to see some people get so tore up about this issue that it makes me laugh just thinking about it. They even talked themselves into making it a secret that we even discussed it. Well that was till one person told his Pastor and then all HELL broke loose...lol...lol...lol...lol....

And you are right, that was about the time of 11 years ago and things still haven't changed since then, I mean nothing has changed.