miniddy7的部落格

Source: The Times and Democrat, Orangeburg, S.self storageC.Jan. 14--Rosalia's Mexican Restaurant on Russell Street would like to serve liquor but can't under state law, which prohibits its sale near a church.Rep. Gilda Cobb-Hunter, D-Orangeburg, says she wants to open up options for Rosalia's and other restaurants by allowing them to serve liquor if nearby churches agree."I want to do anything I can to make sure downtown Orangeburg is revitalized, which in turn helps Orangeburg County," she said.During Monday's meeting of the Orangeburg County Legislative Delegation, Cobb-Hunter sought fellow lawmakers' support for a bill that would allow licenses for on-premises consumption of liquor if all playgrounds and churches close to the business agree that they do not object.In South Carolina, a business in a municipality must be at least 350 feet away from a church, school or playground to get a liquor license. Businesses outside of a municipality must be at least 500 feet away.Rosalia's sells beer and wine, but can't get a license to sell liquor on-site, even if the church next door submits a written statement saying it's not opposing the restaurant's application."In this instance, the religious organization has waived, they've given permission, but it doesn't matter," Cobb-Hunter said Monday. "They have no authority according to the state Supreme Court ruling."Cobb-Hunter's bill calls for an amendment to the state's liquor law so that governing bodies of churches, schools and playgrounds may submit statements of support which would allow individual businesses TO apply for such licenses without opposition.She said that with the drive to revitalize downtown Orangeburg, state laws don't need to be restrictive to the point that businesses suffer."Not only is this an issue that affects our downtown, but can affect other South Carolina cities as well," Downtown Orangeburg Revitalization Association Director Jennifer Hoesing said during the meeting.She thanked lawmakers for their attention to the matter.After the meeting, Rosalia's owners Eduardo and Kim Sanchez thanked lawmakers for the help.Kim Sanchez said that the ultimate authority that decides whether or not a restaurant may have a liquor license "is an inanimate object called a tape measure."Also during the meeting, Hoesing updated lawmakers on DORA's strategic planning project.She said DORA is contracting with urban planners, landscape architects and others through the Municipal Association of South Carolina to develop a "bit of a mas迷利倉er plan and a bit of holistic planning" for improvements to downtown Orangeburg.She said collaborators will meet for a four-day period "from dawn until dusk" to assess the city's marketing/branding, business recruitment and physical characteristics.After the group undertakes an intense study of the city, they will "unveil what they recommend for Orangeburg," Hoesing said.In the six to eight weeks that follow the four-day study, consultants will provide DORA with specific suggestions to reach long-term goals.Hoesing said she signed the contract Monday for DORA to start the study, but a date hasn't yet been firmed up."We look forward to more participation from elected officials and the public" concerning the revitalization of downtown Orangeburg, she said.Hoesing said the second phase with require additional funding.Also during the delegation meeting, attorney Sidney J. Evering II of Columbia spoke to lawmakers about his candidacy for the at-large board seat on the South Carolina State University Board of Trustees. Robert Porcher Jr. of Wando is also seeking the seat."South Carolina State University is dear to me because it's the first university I ever set foot on," Evering said.Evering told about how his grandmother lived on Clark Street, just a couple of blocks from S.C. State University. He said during his visits with her over the summers, he played on the S.C. State University campus.Evering said he'd like to serve as a trustee for three main reasons:The university needs to restore the public's trust.To ensure the university broadens its outreach to students and faculty; making it more diverse but maintaining its distinction as a historically black college.To strengthen the connection between the university and the business community so that graduates will have increased employment opportunities locally and in South Carolina.Also, Orangeburg County resident Greg Cranford inquired about the reapportionment of the county's school district board member jurisdictions in light of the results of the 2010 Census, asking whether the residents of the districts have adequate representation.In other delegation business, reappointments and the filling of vacancies on several commissions will be delayed until the group meets next on April 14.Contact the writer: mbrown@timesanddemocrat.com or 803-533-5545.Copyright: ___ (c)2014 The Times and Democrat (Orangeburg, S.C.) Visit The Times and Democrat (Orangeburg, S.C.) at thetandd.com Distributed by MCT Information Services迷你倉