Maysville business owner asked to remove sign

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Staff Writer
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Tuesday, June 7. 2011
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Maysville business owner Debbie Akins appeared before the Maysville City Council Monday night to complain about being asked to take down the sign on her downtown restaurant.

Akins had months ago requested the city council allow the sale of beer in town. The council denied her request after several heated town hall meetings were held with large crowds of citizens speaking in opposition to the action.

Akins went on to open a restaurant in downtown that has a sign out front with “Maysville Saloon” on it.
At a an earlier planning and zoning meeting, chairman Guy Baker suggested that police chief Clarence Sullens go to the Maysville Saloon and ask the owner to take down the banner.

Akins said that this was done unprofessionally since Sullens came into her business during dinner time and embarrassed her in front of customers.

Akins also said that the city officials had something against her and read a list detailing the number of times her employees have been pulled over for “childish” things.

Akins also spoke on how she gives back to the community, stating that she has five local employees.
Council member Lynn Villyard agreed that the situation was handled incorrectly.

OTHER BUSINESS

In other business at the meeting Monday, the city council:

•discussed the new voting wards. The population size of the new wards is as follows: ward 1 — 443; ward 2 — 444; ward 3 — 466; and ward 4 — 445. The new wards leave each council member in their same voting district. The new districts are available for review at the city clerk’s office or with the superior court clerk. Under the voting rights act, the department of justice has to pre-clear the wards within 60 days. State law then requires the council approve hold two hearings and vote on the wards. The first meeting will be Tuesday, July 5, at 7 p.m.
•agreed to issue a business license to Hair Cut Etc. to offer massage therapy.

•agreed to resurface Del Ray Drive under the state Local Assistance Road Program and to seek bids to fill in potholes in and around the city limits of Banks County.

•opened bids for the 1996 and 2001 Ford, which went for $1010.50 and $1403.50, respectively.

•unanimously voted to not conduct the speed limit study on Comer Street/West Ridgeway Road due to expenses. Mayor Jerry Baker suggested having a patrol car on that road to make sure people are not speeding.

•unanimously agreed to sponsor the Movie in the Park event. The cost of sponsorship is $350.

•discussed repairing the building beside the community center at 10 North Main St. for the use of the city council and potential court room. Money was a concern and no decisions were made.
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#1 tired of raising of my taxes on 06/07/11 at 08:04 PM [Reply]
It's just a sign. Where is the 1st ammendment here? Our own rights are being denied? Sounds like a lawsuit is coming !!! Debbie my wife and I stand behind youuuuuu!!!!! 100% Keep up the good work!!! We need more of your kind in this community!!!!!
#1.1 Jeffrey Prag on 06/08/11 at 07:20 AM [Reply]
My wife and I are soon to become reseidents and property owner in Maysville.
I support Debbie Akins and the Maysville Saloon!
#1.2 Maysville Citizen on 06/09/11 at 10:49 AM [Reply]
The 1st amendment of the US Constitution states, "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances." The problem with the sign was not the message rather the location. So, Ms. Atkins 1st amendment rights were not violated. The City of Maysville has an ordinance regarding the location of sidewalk signage. That being said, I agree that the situation could have been better handled.
#2 HA on 06/08/11 at 06:33 AM [Reply]
There is nothing slanderous or disrespectful about the sign. It is a very nice resturant and they have brought alot of business to Maysville.

I think the Maysville police would rather harrass it's law abiding population rather than deal with the drug problems going on right down the street from the station.
#3 Brooke on 06/08/11 at 06:37 AM [Reply]
I guess the way they went about taking the sign down was wrong, but on the other hand, I could see why they did this. I've been to the restaurant once and asked for alcohol and was informed that they did not sell it. So my question was why is it called "Maysville SALOON" if there is not beer or liqueor? Wrong for embarrassing Debbie during dinner but the name of the restaurant is ill-fitting.
#4 Anonymous on 06/08/11 at 11:14 AM [Reply]
These small town "city" councils must believe that we are in the Russian Federation, comrade, since they believe that individuals no longer have ANY RIGHTS!

When did the communist take over America???
#4.1 jlyons on 06/09/11 at 07:56 AM [Reply]
what maysville needs is a vision....right now it is just a speed trap...ive seen it in many towns the police is solely used for generating revenue...when will the council come to their senses and make this area a place where people can gather and be entertained.so many properties going to waste and potential revenues revenues going to waste. maysville is consider a stay away from kinda of town.where the rodents of society run rampant and the police harass average citizens
#5 TIVO on 06/08/11 at 03:01 PM [Reply]
I AGREE WITH THE COUNCIL , TAKE DOWN THE SALOON SIGN .
#5.1 JH on 06/09/11 at 11:04 AM [Reply]
TAKE DOWN THE SIGN??? you have to be kidding me. what kind of town is maysville trying to represent? the poor town needs pretty much any business willing to come in & try & grow the place. It is amazing at the amount of control in this very small town by a small group of people. As a business owner she applied for a business license & was obviously approved. If she is in compliance with the sign ordinances of the city get off her back. end of story. it should not be a matter of whether you agree with what she calls her business or not, but is she really breaking any laws. does maysville PD really not have any better duties to perform other than harrasement of business owners.
#5.2 Bumpkinville on 06/10/11 at 10:45 AM [Reply]
Absolutly, I totally agree with you. Take down that sign and while you're at it, close that den of inquity, how dare they put that obomination "saloon" on a sign for tourists to see. Why, they'll think Maysville is full of sin and lust of alcohol! Close that business, but from the looks to me, the entire town is a rotting, trash heap no nicer than dead corpse called Homer.
#5.3 Diane Swaney on 06/14/11 at 02:49 PM [Reply]
Iagree take down the sign if you move from the city and come to our little town DO NOT TRY TO MAKE it a big town, we like things the way they are, when you leave a place if you want to take the things with you STAY AT HOME, go Maysville city council keep up the GOOD WORK, I dissagree with alcohol in our town, if you want to dring go a few miles and get your drink, its notthat far, if you want a city with booze MOVE THERE.
#5.3.1 Hey on 06/26/11 at 11:40 PM [Reply]
We like run-on scentences too!
#6 citizen on 06/08/11 at 04:26 PM [Reply]
Par for the course with Jerry and Guy Baker. James Lyles or the church disapproved so they had to have it removed.
The mayor is corrupt and forgot why he was elected the first time. Time for a change in Maysville !
#7 areyouforreal on 06/08/11 at 09:50 PM [Reply]
Who cares what someone names their resturant?!?! This is hilarious. I live in Maysville and must say I think this is a silly function for a government body...
#8 Anonymous on 06/09/11 at 12:57 AM [Reply]
It just a name. Leave it alone. Thats like Atlanta Dragway, They call it that, but it's not in Atlanta
#8.1 Where's that county line? on 06/10/11 at 10:47 AM [Reply]
And they also say it's in Commerce but for the life of me can't find that city of Commerce city limits anywhere near the dragway.
#8.1.1 Zip Code Anyone? on 10/16/11 at 09:03 PM [Reply]
It has a Commerce address. I'm not sure what you expect. Not everything in the world is inside of city limits.
#9 HA on 06/09/11 at 06:30 AM [Reply]
She has the freedom to call the place whatever she wants to.. to go there and ask for beer or liquor is ignorant, because everyone knows that Maysville is a dry city.
#9.1 really? on 06/10/11 at 11:16 AM [Reply]
Ignorant? Commerce is dry also, so is it ignorant to order a Margarita at La Hacienda in Commerce because they sell it.
#9.1.1 Anon on 06/11/11 at 08:50 PM [Reply]
Really... Someone should spend a little more time researching city limits then maybe they will understand why LaHa is able to sell liquor by the drink. Just saying....
#9.1.2 Anonymous on 06/13/11 at 11:05 AM [Reply]
Commerce is dry? I can name a handful of restaurants and stores in the city limits that I can buy beer and malted beverages 6 days a week. That doesn't quite make the definition of dry. Sorry, try again.
#9.1.3 Anonymous on 06/15/11 at 01:22 PM [Reply]
by the way LA HA is in Banks County. it just has a commerce address
#10 Teresa on 06/10/11 at 02:27 PM [Reply]
I'm expecting apple dishes and a serious problem with bees at a national chain and never see that...but I still keep going. What idioits..Maysville Police needs to support business owners. They create local employment positions in addition to revenue. The place is like a ghost town why not try to bring in people not run them off. It's a cycle..less funds received in a town less reason for working class to live there..which means less children..less growth all around. Also,less funds ..less police,fire,emt..Don't make me come down there and straighten this out.
#11 missing the point on 06/10/11 at 02:35 PM [Reply]
Guy Baker, the mayors brother, had no authority to instruct the chief of police to have the sign taken down. Yes, the mayors brother is chairman of the planning and zoning, and Guy does not even live in the city of Maysville. However that does not seem to matter to the Mayor, bec he appointed his brother as well as 2 other fellow members of the fire department, NEITHER OF which live in the CITY of maysville , to the Zoning and planning Committee. Does it eems the mayor wants to make sure what HE wants in the city is what he GETS in the city???? The citizens will be asking for Guy Bakers resignation from the zoning and planning, the council should make it happen.
#11.1 David on 10/20/11 at 06:23 PM [Reply]
Come on missing the point, give the mayor his little feifdom. He dosen't realize his town is the laughing stock of Northeast Ga. Right along side Dead Corpse aka Homer.
#12 whatever on 06/10/11 at 02:55 PM [Reply]
the only reason she named it that was because they wouldn't allow her to have a liquor license and knew it would cause controversy...come on people stop moving out of the "city" and trying to change things, go back where you came from if a neighborhood bar or a over-priced salon is what your wanting to open.
#12.1 HA on 06/13/11 at 06:51 AM [Reply]
This is exactly why Maysville is a rotting shade of the past.. because no one there wants to except change.
#12.2 SicknTired on 06/15/11 at 11:02 AM [Reply]
It's time that Maysville, gets over the Good Ole Boy syndrome and the hypocrites that hide behind the Babtist Church! The council needs a new start with new blood, and seats should only go to those with a vision for growth in this town. In the past 10 years, the only growth the Good Ole Boy's were able to bring in were the feed mills, that now saturate the air with an overwhelming stinch and drop soy dust on the neighboring school. Let all of the citizens as a whole decide with their right to vote, what it is that we want in this town, not those chosen few who only speak for themselves!
#13 Make a change on 06/12/11 at 03:42 PM [Reply]
Good discussion in here and just want to say that everyone needs to remember this when election time comes. Remember who needs to be replaced!!!!!
#13.1 HA on 06/14/11 at 10:40 AM [Reply]
the people making comments are only commenting on the story published.. it says the 'Maysville Saloon' sign.
#14 get it straight on 06/13/11 at 09:53 AM [Reply]
Again, it had nothing to do with the acutal Saloon sign. It was about the sidewalk sign & banner. The Chairman for the Planning & Zoning took it upon himself to say that it was in violation of the city ordinance for signage. This was not discussed among the Planning & Zoning committee. He directed the Police Chief to have the owners' remove the sign. He did not have the authority to do this. This was done in a Planning & Zoning meeting, not in the Council meeting. Therefore, the City Council was not involved in this decision. People need to attend meetings to get their facts straight before they print comments. The city council told Mrs. Akins that she could in fact, put the sign back up.
#15 Read the law! on 06/14/11 at 08:01 PM [Reply]
I've ate two of the best meals I've had in a while from this restaurant. It was delicious and affordable. As far as I know from reading the law, this restaurant owner can call this place anything she wants to unless it is profain. We need to support local business. I don't see things being printed in the paper about Longhorn, Applebee's, Ruby Tuesday, etc. and they all have alcohol. Many towns keep water and sewer bills low by allowing alcohol sales and collecting the tax on it. I really don't understand what the big deal is. Everyone has a choice. You cannot be forced into a restaurant that serves alcohol or a restaurant with with word "saloon" in the name. If it brings business and jobs near the community, why can't we just all support that and make the choice not to patron the business if your religious beliefs prohibit it.
#16 Over Back Woods Politics on 06/17/11 at 06:35 AM [Reply]
To begin, the author of this article should have done some much needed homework prior to writing this article, first by reading the original article, published when the town hall meetings were held, had they done so, they would have found that, the council only received around 100 names against the sale of beer and wine at the saloon, out of the now 1798 voters? Had the council properly explained that this establishment would be bringing revenue into this town and not taking money from its taxpayers, the council probably would not have gotten the majority of those either. It is time that the town is run for the people and not the church! We have a choice as to which religion we choose to worship, we have a choice as to where we eat, drink, live etc. If you choose not to walk through that door and enjoy a good meal and a glass of wine that is your perogative, but it is a choice that each and every one of the 1700 plus taxpayers in this town have a right to make for ourselves! That decision should not be made by a few simple minded people "The City Council" who refuse to help this town move forward! Perhaps their time would be better spent policing the town and forcing folks to fix up these run down homes, and clean up the trashy yards and do something about the empty store fronts in town, etc. We, the taxpayers, can find plenty for you to do and it would not include, harrassing hard working people, that are actually trying to bring life back into this town and help it grow into a wonderful community.
#17 David on 06/22/11 at 08:45 PM [Reply]
Maysville Saloon is a wonderful addition to Maysville. This town has fallen off the map. The mayor and all the city government sucks and need to be replaced.
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