Cleveland voters will get a chance to decide whether to allow liquor stores in the city. The Cleveland City Council voted Monday night to put a package sales referendum on the ballot this November. Council voted to allow the public vote following their second and final hearing on the proposal.
During Monday night’s hearing at a special called meeting, Cleveland resident and former city council member Rush Mauney said he had no doubt the issue would pass if voted on. He called on the council to do their work and designate certain areas where package stores can be located.
“A package store has no place in the central business district – has no place, really, other than highway business [areas] due to traffic concerns and parking availability,” said Mauney.
Hal Jarvis told the council he’s in favor of package stores in Cleveland. He said he goes to the ones in Helen now and, even if the Clevland measure passes, will probably continue to go to Helen because he has friends there.
Later on, in the business session of the called meeting, council member Rebecca Yardley made the motion to place the issue on a November ballot. Councilman Jeremy McClure seconded that motion. The council voted unanimously to approve the ballot issue.
During the called meting, city administrator Kevin Harris reported Cleveland has an email agreement with White County election officials to oversee the election in November. Harris said the agreement will save the city thousands of dollars.
The council has not officially approved any agreement with White County election officials, but that is expected to take place at the commission’s regular meeting next Monday.
