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Graham County resident Aaron Bradley speaks during the public comment portion of Tuesday's Board of Commissioners meeting. Photos by Art Miller/amiller@grahamstar.com
Robbinsville – The topic of alcohol sales continues to play a game of hot-potato.
During Tuesday’s Graham County Board of Commissioners meeting, the Prosperity Committee re-convened for the third time in as many months, hoping to persuade the board to agree to put alcohol sales on the ballot for the first time since 1948.
Around 50 citizens filled the room at the community center for the forum, but Commission Chairman Dale Wiggins stated after a pitch by attorney Brady Cody – speaking on behalf of the Prosperity Committee – that the board would not be voting on the issue until later, pointing out that Cody’s presentation of a letter with 603 signatures needed to be weighed.
“Throughout our discussion with the Town, we were able to discover common ground between the two sides,” Cody said. “We both think that the citizens should have a chance to make their voices heard in an election.”
Still, eight people spoke during public comment. Those with the Prosperity Committee pleaded their case about allowing the public to vote on the matter. The Board of Commissioners opted not to vote on the matter when it first brought to them in October.
“It was voted out on a ballot,” pointed out Roger Carlton. “If enough people want to have it – under special circumstances – it ought to be on the ballot.”
“It needs to be left up to the people, because that’s what makes America great. Our voices can be heard,” Aaron Bradley later added.
Only two people spoke in complete opposition to alcohol sales.
Joe and Caroline Deddo both relayed personal tales of the dangers of alcohol, including Joe recalling how troublesome it was during his days as a local employee for Duke Energy.
“Cutting people’s power off for non-payment was very hard to do,” Deddo explained. “You see a little kid sitting in there – in the wintertime – and you go around to pull the meter and there’s a pile of beer cans taller than me.
“That’s here, in our county.”
Other news and notes from the meeting included:
* County manager Becky Garland presented both the financial and manager’s report. Garland reported a general fund balance of $10,471,772.27 and pointed out that the board is at 49 percent of its total 2019-20 fiscal year budget, a comfortable place with just a few months left in the cycle.
* The board unanimously approved the appointment of Kyle Garland to the recreation committee. Garland will be replacing David Haney, who stepped down due to work commitments.
* Garland also revealed that the board received a clean audit from the firm Turner & Company, based in Murphy.
“I’m proud of our department heads, for helping us get such a good audit report,” Garland boasted.