Last call at 2 a.m.?
City council mulls over new alcohol ordinance
By Elizabeth Billips Associate Editor

City council will vote on a first reading of the amended ordinance at its Aug. 6 meeting, 6 p.m.

Rules for alcohol sales could be changing in Waynesboro.

The Public Safety Committee wants to amend three sections of the city's alcohol ordinance in order to boost revenue for restaurants and stores.

First on their list is extending the cut-off until 2 a.m.

Currently, retail stores and restaurants can only sell alcoholic beverages between 7 a.m. and 11 p.m.

"Out of town guests from nearby hotels are really miffed … sometimes they don't even sit down to eat until ten o'clock," Patricia Keefer of The 'Boro Restaurant and Bar told committee members. "On New Year's Eve, we can't even do a toast."

The two other proposed changes would make it legal for businesses to advertise drink specials and for minors to take drink orders, but not serve them.

According to Keefer, the city's current ordinance makes it nearly impossible for her to hire teenage waiters and waitresses.

City council members are expected to vote on a first reading of the amendments at their next regular meeting - but not everyone is behind it, including the chief of police.

"The longer people have to obtain alcohol, the drunker they get," he said, pointing out existing problems with "severely intoxicated" people who gather at the Huddle House after county establishments close at 2 a.m. "You're going to give people more time to come back into town and legally drink more alcohol."

Councilman Chick Jones argued with Chief Allen's reasoning and maintained that it was wrong to base a decision on worst case scenarios.

"We have to expect people to be responsible in their actions ... there are laws for those who abuse privileges," he said. "We're looking at the possibility of all the negatives, but we need to also look at the benefits. The business owners have a right to be in business."