The owner of business that sells beer and wine recently asked the Long County Commission to let voters decide if hard liquor could be sold in the county.

Brown Bagger owner Shawn Tucker told commissioners liquor sales would increase tax revenue and that voters should decide. He said the county already allows beer, wine, cigarette and lottery ticket sales. Liquor sales would be no different, he said.

Tucker also said the liquor ban hurts business growth.

After a brief discussion, commissioners told Tucker he should address the issue with Ludowici City Council since his business is in the city.

At the request of commissioners, County Attorney Jay Swindell told Tucker that even if a governing authority rejected the request for a referendum, he could get 35 percent of registered voters to sign a petition and then it would be put to a vote.

Commissioners also discussed the upcoming TSPLOST vote. Chairman Bobby Walker said if the tax passes Long County would benefit. He said three local projects would bring an estimated $54 million to the county. They are Stafford Dairy Road, an overpass at the railroad tracks and a regional bus repair station. He said the CRC bus garage would bring approximately 18 jobs to Long County.

Commissioner Clifton Deloach added the projects would also bring in jobs.

In addition to those projects, Walker said the county will receive $20 million over 10 years for county projects.

“It is very important to Long County that the TSPLOST pass,” Walker said.

In other business:
• Commissioners approved phase 3 of the Horse Creek Farm subdivision, contingent on code approval.
• Code-enforcement officer Steve Atkins reported that during April, there had been 18 county/city building permits sold and 16 final inspections.
• Deloach reported that the DOT had approved a traffic light in front of the new Family Dollar store in Ludowici.