CEO vetos latest last call law
From staff reports
An ordinance introduced by Commissioner Burrell Ellis to limit the hours during which bars and clubs may serve alcohol passed in a 4-3 vote during Tuesday’s regular scheduled Board of Commissioners meeting.
The ordinance, which rolls back the time at which establishments must stop pouring from 4 to 2:30 a.m., is a substitute for an earlier ordinance that set the time at 2 a.m.
Later that day, the DeKalb County Chief Executive Officer vetoed the ordinance. A fifth vote for the ordinance would be required to override the veto.
Public hearings dealing with the issue have drawn large crowds in a contentious, emotionally charged atmosphere.
A proposal by the CEO to charge higher fees to new businesses that wish to serve alcohol until 4 a.m. was denied in a 4-2-1 vote later in the session.
Opponents of the proposal to roll back bar hours call it restrictive, bad for business, misguided policy and an effort to legislate morality. Some have charged that it would restrict the earning power of those who work in clubs and bars.
Proponents of the measure, originally proposed by Commissioner Jeff Rader, say it would reduce crime, curb drunk driving and improve the quality of life for a majority of county residents. They offer the additional argument that DeKalb is the only metro area county that serves alcohol until 4 in the morning. Rolling the time back to 2:30 a.m. would put DeKalb in line with the city of Atlanta and with other metro jurisdictions.
The CEO did not say whether he would bring his proposal back to the commission Nov. 27. Ultimately if the stalemate continues nothing will change in regard to pouring hours, allowing businesses to serve alcohol until 3:55 a.m. Monday-Friday, 2:55 a.m. on Sundays and Mondays.
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