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week of 1/22/03 | |
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| Franklin
group eyes Canton’s success SMN George Hasara, owner of the Rathskeller Café in downtown Franklin, hopes Franklin’s citizens and aldermen will see what voters in Canton obviously saw last week. “They were smart. The supporters emphasized the economic aspect of having beer and liquor by the drink sales, and the voters supported it,” said Hasara. With the approval of on-premise sales last week in Canton, Franklin is making a stand as one of the few municipalities in Western North Carolina where diners can’t buy beer or mixed drinks in restaurants. The list of those who do allow such sales includes Canton, Maggie Valley, Waynesville, Sylva, Bryson City and Highlands. Hasara has been among the Franklin business owners who has been trying to garner enough votes to force a vote or, even better, to convince aldermen to simply pass an ordinance allowing such sales. “At the last town board meeting Guy Gooder spoke to the aldermen and told them we were getting together letters and signatures,” said Hasara. “Obviously, we would prefer for them to just pass it — especially after what Canton just did.” Last fall Hasara and others began a petition drive to try and obtain the needed 35 percent of Franklin voters on a petition calling for a referendum. They needed 1,074 voters, but only got about 400, said Hasara. With the economy stalled a bit, Hasara thinks the time is right to revive the debate and pull together statistics and other information about how approving on-premise sales could have a ripple effect on the economy. “This is a good environment for convincing people of the positive aspects,” said Hasara. “A lot of people are struggling to make ends meet. Those who supported this in Canton got out and got out the message. That’s what we need to do.” Right now, diners can buy wine in restaurants. Sports clubs can sell beer and mixed drinks. Hasara, though, gives away beer. “I can’t charge for it, so we give complimentary beer and people can tip if they want. A couple of establishments in town do that,” said Hasara. |
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