Fresh Loaf

Just another night in Buckhead

City Councilman Kwanza Hall surprised his colleagues with a proposal yesterday to examine whether allowing Atlanta bars to close later would be a boon for the city’s nightlife and budget. From the AJC’s ubiquitous Eric Stirgus:

Hall introduced legislation Monday requesting the city study the revenue opportunities of expanding the hours to sell liquor from 2:30 a.m. to 4 a.m. City Council President Lisa Borders sent the legislation to the council’s Finance/Executive committee for further discussion. Hall wants a summary report by Jan. 30.

Hall said the sales tax money from extending the hours could fund public safety improvements. He said the city could enact the longer hours in areas of Atlanta where it’s more practical.

“I think we need to look at revenue,” said Hall, whose district includes portions of Castleberry Hill, Midtown and the Old Fourth Ward, where nightlife is more prevalent than other parts of the city. “Who knows how many millions of dollars we’ve lost?”

Some councilmembers weren’t pleased with Hall’s proposal. Councilman Howard Shook, who represents Buckhead neighborhoods that pushed for the earlier bar hours, said Hall’s idea would be “dead on arrival.” City Council President Lisa Borders called the idea “absolutely irresponsible.” Buckhead Coalition President Sam Massell said the additional revenue wasn’t worth the potential headache.

But Hall’s been tweeting about the proposal nonstop and wants residents’ opinions, which is why we’ve created this high-tech “blog.” Comments will be printed and hand-delivered to the appropriate council committee by bowtie-wearing monkeys holding balloons. The event will be filmed. And if council lets bars stay open later, we’ll release the monkeys back into the wild. It’s up to you, people.

UPDATE: Hall elaborates on his proposal in the comments below.

(Courtesy Wikimedia Commons)

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With roughly four months until Georgia lawmakers return to the Gold Dome to wreak havoc upon our pristine and precious state, thirsty residents and fans of freedom are moving forward with a petition to convince Gov. Sonny Perdue to finally do away with its ridiculous laws prohibiting the purchase of alcohol in stores on Sundays.

The petition, which was started by Twitter user AtlantaBeer, very plainly states:

Georgia law prevents retail sales of beer on Sundays despite the will of the people. Why does Gov Perdue block every attempt to change this law?

Good question. We’ve always heard state lawmakers are hesitant to push for an end to Sunday Sales because Perdue’s made clear he’d veto the bill. Also, next legislative session is during an election year. Lawmakers are big on red-meat issues when they’re up for re-election — think “guns, gays, and God” — and tend to shy away from measures that could change the status quo.

That doesn’t mean you can’t join in the fun. Here’s the petition website.

After the jump, the map of people ACROSS THE COUNTRY who think Georgians deserve the right to booze on the Sabbath. It’s the dawn of a new day, suckas!

(H/T to everyone in Georgia who uses Twitter)

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Former mayor of Gainesville Mark E. Musselwhite was arrested last weekend after Georgia Department of Natural Resources ranger Brandon Walls says he found Musselwaite sitting drunk and naked at a Rabun County campsite.

The incident report is, as one might expect, delightful. An excerpt:

I asked him what he was doing, he said he was just sitting here and asked if there was a problem. I did notice he was drinking and appeared very intoxicated. I asked him why he did not have any clothes on, and he said he was hot and had been in the creek . . . I advised him that we had gotten complaints about a man walking around nude in the area. Still nude, he told me that it was not him. I said the complaintant had specifically said his campsite, and the fact that he was still nude made me think it was him.

Read the whole thing at AccessNorthGa.com.

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Earlier today, Gov. Sonny Perdue told reporters the soon-to-be-released April 2009 revenue figures were “not encouraging.”

He wasn’t fibbing. The revenue figures landed in our inboxes a few minutes ago. And to be honest, they’re rather terrible.

Net revenue collections of sales, personal income and corporate incomes taxes last month totaled $1.4 billion, down from $1.8 billion the same time last year. That’s a decrease of 20.6 percent. The year-to-date decrease in revenue collection is 9.6 percent.

According to figures released by the governor’s office, however, booze is still selling like it’s hot.

Perdue did note that last April’s figures were some of the highest the state had ever recorded. But man,  governor, you’ve made the right choice to veto the giant tax-cutting beast sitting on your desk. That thing might get you on Grover Norquist’s speed dial, but it’d just push the state deeper into the red.

If you’re a numbers lover, download the April 2009 revenue figures. (Warning: PDF)

(Photo by Joeff Davis)

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Bizarre royalty-free image depicts Satan eying virgin territory of Lilburn

Shane Blatt at the AJC has a breathtakingly thorough article about a recent decision by Lilburn — LILBURN! — to bow down before King Satan and allow karaoke bars. I can smell the sulfur already.

Two years after the city put the kibosh on karaoke in an effort to curtail crime, leaders have relaxed their liquor law to permit karaoke and other forms of “interactive” entertainment, including trivia, darts and pool, at restaurants that sell alcohol.

They banned karaoke “in an effort to curtail crime.” OK, just wanted to be sure you saw that one.

“Lilburn has matured, and we want to keep it vibrant,” said Mayor Diana Preston. “Our focus is keeping our business community strong and that means a diversity of businesses.”

And, she said, Lilburn — which bans bars — wants to accommodate its young adults, who enjoy pub atmospheres.

Lilburn, which lucky for us is far enough away to keep Atlanta safe from the soul-hungry devil, is also home to a person named Thor, whom we will quote just because.

Thor Johnson, president of the Lilburn Business Association, said the change has been a long time coming. “Chain restaurants will not move into a community like this because restrictions we’ve had in the past,” Johnson said.

Give ‘em hell, Thor! And God bless Lilburn. And karaoke.

(Photo courtesy Photos.com)

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Tom Thomas is a partner with the HTW&W, one of the largest criminal defense firms in Georgia. He specializes in DUI law and says that drivers pulled over for suspicion of DUI rarely know their rights.

What is a common misconception people have about your clients?

That they are strictly alcoholics and degenerates. They are actually very run-of-the-mill people. They come from different backgrounds — lawyers, doctors, accountants and people from all over the place. They are not your stereotypical criminals.

What’s one thing people should know about their rights during a traffic stop?

You don’t have to discuss where you’ve been or what you’ve done, or give any other information other than your name and license number and other identification. You don’t have to explain anything else, but people always launch into an explanation of why they were speeding or why they were swerving. If they want to check your license to make sure you’re not wanted anywhere, that’s fine, but you certainly don’t need to give any other information. You can respectfully decline.

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On Monday, state Sen. Seth Harp, R-Midland, tried to revive a bill that would allow cities and counties to vote whether they wanted to purchase alcohol in stores on Sundays. It was shot down.

Courtesy of the Senate Press Office, here’s video of the lawmaker’s valiant effort. UPDATE: Well, the freedom haters are sabotaging my attempts to embed the video. Here’s the link. UPDATE, PART II: Thanks to the excellent Michael in the Senate Press Office, we have video! Get ready to shed a tear.

Harp told lawmakers that a poll taken in one of Georgia’s most religious counties found more than 60 percent of respondents supported Sunday sales. In metro Atlanta, he said, support for the measure was more than 90 percent — a statistic which I think is hilarious.

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The AJC’s James Salzer reports state Sen. Seth Harp, R-Midland, has withdrawn the bill that would allow cities and counties to decide if they wanted stores to be able to sell booze on the Sabbath. He says it didn’t have enough votes to pass:

Sober like us: Shafer & Sonny

The committee was supposed to vote on the bill Wednesday, but supporters knew by the time the meeting began that they wouldn’t have enough votes to pass it.

It marked the third consecutive year the bill to allow Sunday sales has stalled in the Senate.

Sen. Seth Harp (R-Midland), said he would bring the bill back up in the future and supporters hinted they would make it a campaign issue next year.

Welcome to Georgia, where nothing ever happens.

(Update by Scott Henry):
There’s a rumor floating around that Lt. Gov. Casey Cagle, R-Gainesville, was involved in getting the bill killed. Harp isn’t buying it. He says Cagle “told me personally” that he favored the bill getting a floor vote. And if SB 16 had reached the floor, Harp is confident it would’ve passed.

Who was the real villain, then?

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Jim Galloway reports state Sen. David Shafer, R-Duluth, was contacted by constituents early Sunday morning about the slow-moving bill that would allow cities and counties to decide whether stores could sell alcohol on the Sabbath.

Shafer said a half-dozen slurred messages were left on his office voice mail at 1, 2 and 3 a.m. Sunday. “They were clearly on the cell phone in the beer aisle, drunk and unable to buy beer, and angry with me,” the senator said.

Shafer says the phone number to his Gold Dome office was listed on fliers placed in the booze aisle of a Wal-Mart, Galloway reports. The distinguished gentleman from Gwinnett County — who’s also a 2010 lieutenant governor candidate — chairs the committee that will discuss the legislation tomorrow.

The editorial employees of CL urge all Georgians to get involved with local politics and speak out on issues near to their hearts. Especially when those issues involve not allowing people to purchase alcohol in stores on Sundays. Sounds like Socialism to me!

Should you ever want to talk to Shafer about life, love, baseball or giving cities and counties more local control, you can always reach him at

(Courtesy ICanHasCheezburger)

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State Sen. David Shafer, R-Duluth, had disappointing news just now for a Capitol committee room packed with Spuds McKenzies and partypoopers: For a variety of reasons, the number of lawmakers needed for a quorum could not be rounded up, and a much-anticipated hearing about Sunday alcohol sales would have to be postponed. Carry on.

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Yellow nails? She must be a smoker!

Amount Georgia lawmakers want to raise the price of cigarettes to offset a $2.4 billion deficit: $1

Georgia’s current tax on cigarettes: 39 cents

Nation’s average cigarette tax: $1.19

Estimated revenue the proposed cigarette tax would generate for the state: $350 million

Estimated tax revenue that would be raised if Sunday alcohol sales were allowed: $4.8 million

Number of signatures on an online petition calling for alcohol to be sold in stores on the Sabbath: 52,070

Dollar amount of a proposed “pole tax” that state lawmakers want strip club patrons to pay at the door: $5

Price of admission after 10 p.m. on a regular night at the Cheetah: $10

Minimum estimated revenue that could be generated if casinos were built in Atlanta and along the Georgia coast: $600 million

Sources: AJC, Associated Press, Distilled Spirits Council of the United States, PetitionOnline.com, TheCheetah.com, 11Alive.com

(Photo courtesy of Photos.com)

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In 5,000 years, when a humanoid alien race sifts through the wasteland we ultimately created here on Earth, they will reach into the rubble of what once was the Georgia Capitol and find one piece of paper that, despite the ravages of time and the post-apocalyptic elements, will be preserved. It will be unripped. It will shine from under ash. It will have been the finest moment in this edifice’s history.

It will read:

Eureka! On Monday, state Sen. Seth Harp, R-Midland — along with three co-sponsors — pre-filed a bill that, if passed and signed by Gov. Sonny Perdue, would allow Georgia cities and counties to vote whether alcohol could be sold on the Sabbath inside their boundaries.

If you’ve long wanted to purchase booze on Sunday — be it for cooking, sporting events or to self-medicate — this is the bill you want to watch. And if you’ve ever just wanted to have a voice in the issue, it’s that too. Andre at Peach Pundit writes more on the possible political dynamics.

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Researchers at the University of Georgia and University of Missouri say people at risk of drinking and driving are less likely to get behind the wheel if they think they’ll be caught in the act.

Essentially, all the laws in the world won’t to deter people from cruising after boozing — it takes convincing them they’ll be stopped in the never-awkward roadblock.

All U.S. states have laws designed to deter impaired driving, but there is little evidence on what works to deter drivers who have a high risk of drinking and driving. The researchers found that the existence of laws, such as the .08 blood alcohol content and open container restrictions, affect only those less likely to drink and drive, and the actual number of impaired driving arrests in a state has no significant effect on drivers’ likelihood of drinking and driving.

“Essentially, law enforcement needs to focus on perceptions; it is important that drivers perceive that they will be caught if they drive impaired,” said Lilliard Richardson, professor in the MU Truman School of Public Affairs. “We found that high-risk drivers are less likely to drink and drive if they perceive they are likely to be stopped or arrested by police. However, the mere existence of laws designed to discourage people from drinking and driving does not impact high-risk drivers. The results provide support for the value of high-visibility enforcement campaigns. Public safety education and media efforts are important components of the overall strategy for reducing impaired driving.”

Now a show of hands: Who got behind the wheel after pouring a punchbowl down their gullet at the cul-de-sac Christmas bash? Yeah, me neither!

(Photo courtesy of Help-for-DUI.com. Tip of the hat to Joeventures)

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In the long-ago days of my youth, I thought the two safest investments during a terrible economic time would be booze and newspapers. Everyone wanted to find a job (classifieds!) and everyone wanted to numb the pain when they couldn’t find one (Booze!). Turns out I was half right — the newspapers are hurting, but alcohol is doing great!

And state Sen. Seth Harp, R-Midland, says he’s got an idea to help get the state out of the red and its citizens closer to rehab. The lawmaker told the Associated Press yesterday he will re-introduce legislation that would allow Georgians to buy spirits on the Sabbath and the state to earn some extra tax revenue on the spirits.

Which means it’s time for more political theater.

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The state pulled in $94.2 million less in taxes compared to this time last year. Alcohol beverage taxes rose a healthy 5.2 percent, however. Chalk that one up to college football season starting and the always dependable alcoholic demographic!

For you number lovers out there, download the revenue collection statistics here.

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The Atlanta Business Chronicle reports City Council member Ceasar Mitchell is proposing bars in the city stay open past 3 a.m. if they pay an “impact fee” to cover additional safety and sanitation services.

So sayeth Mitchell:

“My objective at this point is to find a way to embrace night life as one of those things that makes Atlanta a great city,” he said. “Something that makes Atlanta attractive to visitors and those who live here but at the same time not make it something that is a burden on folks that live and work here.”

Mitchell says the city is losing convention and tourist dollars to other cities who have a more vibrant nightlife.

There’s a little commotion about his proposal. Residents in Buckhead, who fought their own bitter battle to roll back the hours in 2003, and the increasingly popular Castleberry Hill neighborhood who were interviewed for the story think it’s a bad idea.

The article also says Mitchell would like to extend the pouring hours at Underground Atlanta, which already can serve booze until 4 a.m. Now if we can just get going on Fulton County Commissioner Robb Pitts’ casino idea, we’d be well on our way to a New Orleans lifestyle.

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