Monday’s hearing about Chattanooga Street Tavern’s pouring license was a mixed bag, hardly a victory for the city or the business.

Witnesses during the hearing verified everything the Tavern and its owner(s) have been accused of: storing liquor illegally and serving it to employees, some of whom were minors.

The Council ruled a minor punishment handed down in February was sufficient and the business can keep its license, basically saying LPD acted properly. They resisted Mr. Lovelady’s goading – he essentially dared them to do something inappropriate – but possibly held back more than necessary to keep him from having more ammunition to attack the city with. (They also established a slap-on-the-wrist policy for similar violations in the future, which we may regret later on.)

Now the city and several leaders – including the police chief – face civil lawsuits from the Lovelady family, and the Lovelady clan still faces civil lawsuits from former employees who claim they were sexually harassed.

LaFayette citizens can continue to embarrass themselves, eat sub-par food and listen to terrible music while drinking cheap beer at the Tavern, and Mike Lovelady can continue losing money on a glorified bar he only keeps open for pride.

Sounds like we ALL lost out.           

Memorial service for Tanja, Walker County police dog killed last week, will be held 11 AM this Friday at the Civic Center.

58-year-old Idahoan Steven Lee Waldemer, alleged killer of Tanja and wounder of a deputy on Friday, remains behind bars in LaFayette. He’s currently in custody on charges of sexual assault and will soon also be charged with the shooting and related crimes.     

Hutcheson announces several management promotions.

Press release doesn’t mention the changes were made (at least in part) because the hospital’s Director of Nursing and HR Director both quit on the same day for as-yet unknown reasons.   

“This chair is probably one of the greatest things that’s ever happened to me..” -Austin Whitten   

NGEMC members, how do you feel about being automatically entered in the “RoundUp” program?

Utility co. has been raising everyone’s bill to the closest whole dollar since March, applying the difference to their foundation for support of various charities. Customers have to “opt out” if they don’t want to participate.

(LU mentioned this on January 31 on Facebook and in the February 1st Daily Update. It’s been going on since March, three months, and just now gets picked up by Chattanooga Media.)

As noted before, it’s not the amount of money (less than $12 a year at the most) but the principal of the thing. People being pulled into giving, without being asked, and then the money goes to random places the givers have no control over.   

During last week’s Commissioner meeting, Bebe Heiskell accepted a grant to pay for the county’s police dog (which was killed the next day) and allocated funds to various projects. Heiskell said LaFayette library has gotten $200,000 of the only $300k it’s supposed to get from the $24 million SPLOST tax renewed last year.

She also discussed plans to change the county’s liquor rules but set no timeline for when her changes will be finished and become law.

WQCH Radio, 06/15/14: “WALKER COUNTY ALREADY HAS A BEVERAGE CONTROL BOARD WITH THREE PAID MEMBERS, JIM YOUNG, DWAYNE LOVINGOOD AND EDDIE HUGHES. WHEN THE LAW IS IN PLACE, HEISKELL SAID THE BEVERAGE BOARD WILL ISSUE LICENSES AND REVIEW COMPLAINTS. RESTAURANTS WILL BE REQUIRED TO HAVE 70-PERCENT OF THEIR REVENUE OBTAINED FROM FOOD SALES IN ORDER TO QUALIFY FOR A LIQUOR LICENSE.

“ALSO BEING STUDIED IS THE AMOUNT TO CHARGE ESTABLISHMENTS FOR A LIQUOR PERMIT. HEISKELL SAID IN CATOOSA COUNTY, THEY CHARGE 4-THOUSAND DOLLARS PER YEAR FOR LIQUOR, WITH MORE REQUIRED FOR BEER AND WINE PERMITS. SHE SAID WALKER COUNTY’S PERMIT COST WILL PROBABLY BE LOWER.”

Why do we have a PAID beverage board when we don’t allow beverages yet?

(Heiskell is starting to resemble a one-woman “liquor control” board all by herself.)   

Georgia taxpayers ought to be “disgusted” by the $3 million paid to settle lawsuits from whistleblowers fired for speaking out against Gov. Deal.

That amount should be charged to state leaders who designed its ethical controls to fail. Not just Nathan Deal but leaders in the legislature who have refused time and time again to create an ethics board with teeth to do its stated job.   

Hundreds of kids turned out to the library Tuesday for a reading session with “Queen Elsa” from “Frozen.”

Thank goodness this terrible behavior will all end soon when the library runs out of money.   

Latest local arrests, June 5-11.

Another report extended through June 15th.   

Gov. Deal has created another “task force” packed with his supporters. This one is intended to somehow strengthen arts education in public schools; the committee will only suggest ideas, not actually fund or implement any of them.

According to the Governor, this powerless task force will raise student achievement and attract business to the state.   

Today is the FINAL day to order an LU Money Pit Farms t-shirt.

Available in six colors and three styles, including women’s cut and larges up to 5XL.

Purchasing one of these sends a message to county leaders about their continued prioritization of pet projects over people, and helps financially support the Underground.

Thanks for your help.     

State of Georgia launches an emergency weather app, in supposed preparation for the next round of winter storms.   

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