Mayor Vetoes Canton Restaurant District Ordinance

CANTON, GA — Canton Mayor Gene Hobgood has once again exercised his veto power to reject a proposal to establish a restaurant district where residents can enjoy alcoholic beverages while they explore a particular part of the downtown area.

Hobgood vetoed the proposed ordinance on Tuesday, Sept. 11, less than a week after the City Council voted 4-2 to approve the measure. The ordinance, proposed by Councilman Nick Estes, would allow residents to carry out adult beverages from establishments within the area from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays. This would go into effect Oct. 1 and last until Oct. 1, 2019.

The plastic cups offered by licensed establishments would only contain a single serving of alcohol that cannot exceed 16 fluid ounces. Another aspect of the ordinance would also impose a fine not to exceed $1,000 for any violations related to the carry out proposal.

Hobgood told Patch his veto, which he characterized as "very weak," was because of several factors, most of which he outlined in his remarks at the Sept. 6 meeting. He notes this issue is the "least transparent" one that's come before the Council for consideration. The mayor states that it underwent three different changes since the first Council meeting in August. With the amendments offered at last week meeting, he said the public, Council members or himself did not have chance to digest what the changes meant. The ordinance was adopted before its final form was written, he added.

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The mayor also said he had concerns about the lack of a public safety component in the ordinance, as it does not take into account whether more manpower will be needed within the district to enforce the rules. He also said there were no provisions for public restrooms, and those who take advantage of the ordinance could get a drink from one place and walk to another establishment to use the restroom. If he were a business owner, Hobgood said he "wouldn’t like that very much."

Since there will be "lots of beer and uncontrolled drinking" in the district, the mayor notes there will be no way to control how often patrons can buy drinks from a place and give them to other people in the street.

“It just hasn’t been quite thought out thoroughly enough, in my opinion,” he said of the ordinance.

Canton already has a mechanism that allows residents to carry alcoholic beverages in a particular area. Hobgood contends the city's special events policy works well, as it puts the responsibility on the event permit holder to provide additional security, portable restrooms and cleanup measures.

“Under this scenario, it’s all on the city to do that," he said of the restaurant district.

The restaurant district will be placed on the City Council's Sept. 20 meeting agenda, and Council members will have the opportunity to override or sustain the veto. Hobgood, who said he's performed less than "four or five" vetoes since he was granted that power in 2012 by the Council, said he would be surprised if the Council doesn't override the veto.

Estes said the mayor's veto was "quite disappointing" not just for him, but for businesses, patrons and residents who came out to show their support. When he ran for the City Council, Estes said people told him they wished Canton could become more of a destination, and have entertainment opportunities that are enjoyed by those who live in and visit Woodstock, Roswell and Alpharetta.

"Further, they said they like to walk around and shop and go from restaurant to restaurant and even enjoy a drink of their choice," he added. "The adoption of the restaurant district in these cities has helped to bring commerce and support local businesses."

Estes accused Hobgood of "refusing to listen to all citizens," and said the longtime mayor has become content with the status quo and does not listen to the majority of Canton citizens who are in support of the ordinance.

In contrast, Estes told Patch that his approach to politics is a non-traditional one where he listens to all positions and feedback. This, he added, is what got him elected in 2017. He also said the "silent majority," those residents who supported him over incumbent Councilman John Rust in the election, are not the traditional attendees of City Council meetings.

However, these residents have made their voices heard, which is why he presented the ordinance and "why I stand firm in representing their feedback and believe those who do not regularly attend the meetings will continue to be the driving force of commerce for our city."

"Unfortunately, people are seeing politics," he said. "While this may be a temporary disruption to progress and the momentum that our citizens are looking for, we all know that their voices will be heard in a year when half of the Council and mayor come up for election."

The Council's Sept. 20 meeting will be held at 6 p.m. at City Hall. Estes said he's working on arrangements to take a brief hiatus from his planned vacation for his father's birthday celebration next week in Florida to return to Canton for the meeting. If he can rearrange the details that have been made for the party, he told Patch he will be in the Council Chambers "to cast my vote in support of the ordinance and overturn the veto."

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