Candidate Forums Feature Discussion Of Liquor Issue Most Candidates Unlikely To Confront

While liquor by the drink has played a prominent role in all three of the candidate forums, and was particularly central at the forum sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce on Tuesday, it is likely that the issue will be resolved before the terms of the current commissioners expire at the end of the year.

Post 3 Commissioner Margaret Hale acknowledged that likelihood at the forum last night, when she said the issue probably will be on the ballot in November.

For that to be the case, the Board of Commissioners will have to vote by the end of August to put the issue before the voters.

Even if Hale and incumbent Post 2 Commissioner John Daniell are defeated in the May 20 primary or in a July runoff, the matter of the referendum is likely to be settled before a successful Post 2 challenger John Larkin or successful Post 3 challengers Maria Caudill or Bubber Wilkes would take office in January.

For more on the story, including a video clip from the Chamber of Commerce forum, go to Oconee County Observations.