Clerical error invalidates pouring license

THOMSON - Because ofa paperwork error, the McDuffie County Board of Commissioners unanimously voted to rescind the recently-awarded alcoholic-beverage license to Jay's Cafe Lounge Wednesday morning.

The club - formerly known as T&W Cafe Lounge - was awarded a new alcoholic-beverage license a few weeks ago, just months after the licensed was revoked in the wake of the shooting of 14-year-old Aunsharia Moss.

According to several reports from the commissioners' office, an expired report was filed showing that Jay's Cafe received inspections from the health department and the state fire marshal, but a new report was needed to properly award the license.

The delay from March, when T&W Cafe Lounge closed its doors, until a few weeks ago, when the club reapplied for another license under a different name, caused the problem.

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"The establishment had been closed, and once the establishment closes, in order for them to open up, they have to have building inspections to make sure the building is in compliance with all building codes," said Planning Commission Code Enforcement Official Gail Newsome. "This means building, electrical, plumbing, mechanical, everything is in working order and everything is in compliance code, and they had not had that completed."

The recent vote to award the license to Jay's Cafe passed with a vote of 2-1, with Commissioner Bob Farr opposing.

Commissioner Fred Favors was not in attendance, but said he will keep in line with the way he has always voted on these matters in the past when the license request comes back to commissioners.

"If you look at my voting record, I've never voted in favor of alcoholic-beverage licenses," said Favors, pastor at Springfield Baptist Church. "I will abstain again in that same principle."