By Glenn Harbison/ glenn@fanninbasincitizen.com

Amendments to McCaysville’s alcohol ordinance that were to be considered by the city council at its June 9 meeting had to be put on hold because “the newspaper (The News Observer) admitted they made an error,” City Clerk Denise Queen told the council when the alcohol amendment agenda item was reached.

The News Observer is designated as the county’s legal organ, making it responsible for publishing advertisements that government is required to print. When this does not happen, such as what happened with the notice announcing McCaysville would be considering ordinance amendments, the government business cannot be conducted.

The first reading of the ordinance will now be moved to the council’s July meeting, with a vote planned in the August meeting.

City Attorney Courtney Stuart told the council members the amendments are “moving forward with all the other things that were discussed” before the city vote on liquor by the drink. 

Among them, a bottle of wine will no longer have to opened and the purchaser made to take a drink before he or she can leave the business with the wine. Police Chief Michael Earley has been a strong proponent of this change, explaining that, under the current ordinance, purchasers are forced to drink before they drive.

The ordinance will also extend the city’s Central Business District to the city limits at Old Epworth Road at the top of Harpertown Hill on Blue Ridge Drive and out Toccoa Avenue to River Road. 

Happy Hours will be permitted in conjunction with the sale of wine or malt beverages on premises as long as the food-to-alcohol ratio is maintained, and special event permits extending the last call hour to 1 a.m. will also be available.

There were also several changes made to bring the ordinance in line with state law.