Proponents of on-premise beer sales in Franklin are still working to get enough signatures to force a referendum on the issue, but George Hasara said failure to do that won’t end the debate.

“You know, we’re not stopping if we don’t get the referendum,” said Hasara, who co-owns the Rathskellar Cafe and Restaurant. “The mo-mentum will continue, and we are just starting to get organized.”

Hasara and others held an open meeting last week for those who support allowing on-premise sales of beer at area restaurants. Hasara said a few additional people came out to support the effort but it did not garner the turnout he had hoped for.

“This is a work in progress,” he said. “We did get some support from people who aren’t just in the restaurant business, too.”

Several business owners in Franklin are trying to get laws changed so on-premise beer can be sold in restaurants. If they get 1,074 signatures on a petition (one-third of registered voters), then the board of elections has to call a vote on the matter.

“We are probably about a third of the way there,” Hasara said. “It’s a tough number to reach.”

Hasara points out that the town board could itself call for a referendum. That would allow Frank-lin residents to make the choice themselves.

“The board needs pressure to see that people want this. I think showing up en masse at a town meeting could change the dynamics,” Hasara said.

In addition to calling for a referendum, the town board could also simply vote to allow on-premise sale so of beer. Wine and hard cider can already legally be sold in Franklin restaurants. Organizers of the petition drive must attain the needed signatures by Oct. 13.

“It’s kind of fascinating that this is an issue in 2001, something as simple as beer sales in a restaurant,” Hasara said.

 

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The Smoky Mountain News