Alcohol waiver to be resolved Tuesday

Give them credit: After fumbling an opportunity to put a hot-button issue to rest, Columbia County School Board members now plan to pick up the ball.

Whats at stake is a request for a waiver from restrictions on the distance alcohol sales must be kept from schools. The owners of Rhineharts Oyster Bar have purchased land on Belair Road at Owens Road, and are asking permission to serve alcohol in a restaurant closer to Bel Air Elementary than the law allows.

Just over six weeks ago, trustees gave preliminary approval to the waiver. But after considerable neighborhood outcry, the board tried to duck the issue and left citizens frustrated at their inaction.

Its time for redemption. The board has called a meeting Tuesday in Appling to study next years budget starting at 4:30 p.m., and then will take up other school business at 6 p.m. On the agenda is final approval of the waiver.

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Will it be approved? Or will trustees bow to citizen pressure?

Either way, at least they finally seem willing to make a decision.