You're right so I'll choose my words carefully.
First, I'm not angry, not politically motivated and not seeking debate. Just adding a few thoughts to what's going on that might be relevant to the music scene in this beautiful part of the country.
There are different types of alcohol licenses. I don't know the ins and outs of TN laws or county laws but I do know that in some places the food requirement kicks in with the sale of "spirits". In other words hard alcohol. There is a separate license for selling beer and wine that doesn't require food. So there may be choices to be made. Again, I'm not an authority, just sayin' that there may be other facts to gather that were not presented in that article.
The other thing to remember is that the government is us. They are from our ranks and are supposed to represent us and in a real sense are employed by us. Since the primary criteria of any employee is to keep their job, elected employees tend to say and do what they think will continue to get them re-elected. That gives you and I some power. It also means that if they are acting wisely they are reflecting the will of the majority in their area. And just because something they do doesn't sit well with you or I doesn't mean they are not reflecting the wishes of the majority. (scary thought - but who says the majority has good sense?) Of course, no on ever said that politicians always act wisely either.
My point is this: I'm old enough to remember Sullivan county as a dry county. That any alcohol is being served is progress for this area, but it tends to lag behind most of the rest of the country. Since this trend has continued over my lifetime you have to consider that it's not just the work of the recently elected officials but that there is significant support among the general population.
So as always, there may be many factors to think about and maybe even more research to be done to know the full story of what's going on. I counsel patience, looking at all angles and developing a well educated, informed opinion.
