An Open Letter to The Jackson County Board of Commissioners

I am Jack Lawson. I am not a registered voter in Jackson County. In fact, I do not even live here (I live in Gwinnett County) but I love Jackson County as much as anyone who does live and vote here. I have been the pastor of White Plains Baptist Church in Jefferson for almost five years and have gotten to know and love many people here.  Therefore, I am deeply concerned about what happens here. If you share my love and concern for this county and its citizens, would you please take the time to read this letter and consider its contents? I would appreciate it very much.

Last Wednesday, August 22, I became aware of the fact that you, the Board of Commissioners, had voted unanimously on Monday to have the county’s legal firm prepare a referendum asking whether voters wanted to allow restaurants to serve alcohol on Sundays. I immediately became more concerned about the future of this great county and began to pray that God would somehow intervene in the matter.

Then on Sunday morning, I woke up around three o’clock with the Board of Commissioners on my heart. I tried my best to clear my mind and go back to sleep but God wouldn’t let me. I finally asked Him what He was trying to tell me. I believe with all my heart God was showing me that the Jackson County Board of Commissioners has an opportunity to shape the future of Jackson County in either a positive or a negative way. Please let me explain.

When I came to this county five years ago I was impressed with the “family” atmosphere here. Most everyone seemed to know one another and were concerned about each other. You could take your family almost anywhere and not worry about what your children would be exposed to. There was no alcohol served in the restaurants anytime. I thought, “What a wonderful place to raise a family”. In the last two years I have seen that change. First there was allowing of restaurants in unincorporated areas to sell beer and wine by the drink. Close behind that came the allowing of pouring mixed drinks except on Sunday. Now it’s “Let’s allow it on Sunday.” What’s next? The present trend seems to be “Whatever the people want”. That philosophy may get a politician re-elected but it is not a characteristic of a good leader. The true leader does not give the people what they want but provides them with what they need. From my point of view it is the materialistic wants of the county government that is being considered and not the intangible  needs of the people of the county.

From what I understand, the main reason for allowing sales of alcohol on Sunday is to attract “up-scale” restaurants. Do you not realize that “up-scale” restaurants eventually lead to down-graded environments? The Buckhead area of Atlanta is noted for its “up-scale” restaurants but is also infamous for its high crime rate. Security cameras and beefed-up police presence became necessary but did little to help the situation. Is that what we want for Jackson County? I think not. Those “up-scale” restaurants are usually owned by large corporations that do not care about local people but are only interested in making large profits. The argument that they need the sale of alcoholic drinks to draw enough customers does not hold water. Just go to the Cracker Barrel in Braselton at lunch time on Sunday and observe the crowd. Could they serve more customers if they sold alcoholic drinks? The Redd House does not serve alcohol and I challenge you to try to dine there without having to wait in line. It is a proven fact that if you serve good food at a reasonable price, and provide good service, the customers will come even if you do not
serve alcohol. I suggest that the reason these “up-scale” restaurants need to sell alcoholic beverages is either to make huge profits or to get the customers drunk enough that they don’t care if the food is mediocre, the service is bad and the prices are  high.

Or is the reason that we want to be like other counties? If we continue down the road we are going, we will be. But do we really want Jackson County to be like Gwinnett, Fulton, Dekalb, or Clayton County? We are at present on the same path that led them to where they are today. I moved to Gwinnett County in 1978. At that time it was much like Jackson County is today. I know from first-hand experience what happens to a county that precedes along this route. In my opinion, you have already taken at least two steps down the wrong road but maybe it’s not too late to turn back. Please don’t take this step. If you continue down this road, one day you will find you have passed the point of no return.

But I think deep down we all know that the real reason is the prospect of additional revenue being brought in. In one word - GREED! We fall again and again for that old promise that our taxes will be lowered and things will be better. Zell Miller promised when he created the state lottery that our schools would benefit from it. I ask the question, “Where do our schools rank nationally?” You know the answer. We are almost at the bottom of the list. Where is the revenue going? According to the lottery’s website, in the 14 years of the lottery there have been over $30 billion dollars in sales and only $9.3 billion transferred to the State Education account. Where did the other $20.7 billion go? Certainly not to our local schools. It was on the news recently that teachers here in Georgia are using their personal money to buy needed supplies. How many supplies could be bought with the money spent on billboards to entice people to buy lottery tickets? How many could be bought with the millions of dollars spent on television ads that suggest your life could be changed when you win? What is the annual pay package for the executives of the lottery as compared to the salaries of the teachers?  The lottery offices are housed in elaborate buildings while many of our children are attending class in trailers. Where will the revenue from Sunday alcohol sales end up? In somebody’s pockets but certainly not the taxpayers.
 
I would like to make a few suggestions for your consideration. First, I would like to suggest that Jackson County take a new road. That road is to market Jackson County as a place where you can raise your children in a clean, wholesome, family-oriented atmosphere. A place where alcohol, drugs, pornographic literature, etc. are unwelcome. A county that would give tax incentives to businesses that would not sell alcohol, tobacco, pornography, and lottery tickets and put tough restrictions on those that did. There are many more things that could be implemented to promote that kind of environment. Just think of the kind of people it would attract and the kind that it would discourage from coming here.

Secondly, I would like to suggest that instead of a referendum that would ask “Should restaurants be allowed to serve alcohol on Sunday?” (or however it would be worded), how about a referendum that would ask “Do you want Jackson County to be like Gwinnett, Fulton, Dekalb, and Clayton County by allowing the sale of alcohol on Sunday or would you prefer that Jackson County pursue the objective of providing a family-oriented atmosphere by keeping our restaurants alcohol free on Sundays?” You know as well I that the way you word the referendum affects the outcome.

I want you to know that I do not stand alone in my opposition to this referendum. The members of White Plains Baptist Church stand solidly with me. It is our intention to rally the citizens of Jackson County who love this county and want to see it remain a place with some family values and to encourage them to join with us in our opposition to this referendum.

I also want you to know that we have made it a matter of prayer, asking God to give each of you the wisdom you need to discern what is best for the families of this county instead of what’s best for the businesses and the courage to fight for family values. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if Jackson County became known as “The Family Place”?

I respect you and honor the office that you hold.  I realize the awesome responsibility and accountability that goes with it. Not only are you held accountable by the voters (or at least you should be) but, more importantly, you are held accountable by God. Paul says in Romans 13:1,  “Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God.”  Therefore, I ask that you reconsider putting this referendum on the ballot in February.  There are seven days in a week. At the present six of them belong to the drinkers. Is it too much to ask that one day be reserved for the family and for non-drinkers? May God bless you and guide you.

Respectfully,

Jack Lawson