I wonder if the people who

signed this petition realize the full ramifications of their support?

I am personally against alcohol in any form, as a matter of moral choice;

but after having been "run out" of my previous neighborhood

12 years ago because of the decline of the community, I feel strongly

against this referendum on a property value basis.

Also, 28 years ago, I was severely

injured in an automobile accident after leaving a movie with my small

children on a Friday night. I ended up with a broken neck and the drunk

driver received a $33 fine. So, of course, I oppose people drinking and

getting behind the wheel of their car. I have been to our fairly new emergency

room recently and had to wait several hours for treatment. I feel that

even now they are overburdened and I foresee the need for increased staff

and trained personnel in trauma which will surely follow increased drinking

and driving.

I believe that this petition

has taken many by surprise and others will be caught off guard by the

fact that the petitioners only submitted their signatures just days before

the deadline. Personally, I don't think this was a mistake; and having

it coincide with a major general election and requiring people to stand

in line and vote at two different voting places was no mistake either!

Those who stand to gain will vote what do you have to lose?

You must vote at your regular

polling place and then vote regarding this referendum at the Old Depot,

250 East Lanier Ave. just above the now defunct "Teen Center."

(Remember that problem?).

It will be easy to vote it

into law, but it will be next to impossible to ever vote it out again.

If we care about our way of life and the safety of our children and the

value of our property, surely we must consider the full impact of this

referendum.

Liquor by the drink will mean

a lot of dads will not come home from work in the evening; there will

be an increase in domestic violence and victimized families. Property

values will be jeopardized; it will open the door for drugs, prostitution

and other "adult" entertainment.

I wonder, of the names on the

petition, how many are property owners. Many of whom, I feel will not

be living in the city a few years from now. But those who own property

will be left holding the bag. What will this bag hold? Drunk drivers on

the same highways as our children going to the bowling alley, skating

rink, or movies on Friday and Saturday nights. I understand the author

of this petition will soon be moving out of the city into the county!

I have made my passion quite clear; what is his? I don't want to be "up-scaled"

like Atlanta and Buckhead; if I did I would move there.

Are we willing to sacrifice

our semi-rural way of living so that a few can make profits by attracting

"upscale" restaurants to line their pockets? Even though I have

been assured by the city manager there will be a tight lid on the situation,

can we all say "Teen Center"?

For the last 12 years, I have

seen people trying to bring Buckhead to Fayetteville. Buckhead has already

had eight murders this year; the traffic is a nightmare; many pedestrians

have been struck by cars and several killed. They are overwhelmed by the

influx of nonresidents, who don't even frequent the establishments but

"party in the streets." We need to get the message out to those

who live in the city and who can vote. The city manager and newspapers

say there has been little opposition! "Hooters" is only one

establishment this will be many!

The 50 percent food rule does

not mean that the person drinking the alcohol will have to have his bill

50 percent food. Some will eat and not drink and others will only drink.

And about the 40-seat capacity rule if we had only one establishment with

40 drinking patrons on the road, that is too much for me.

If this referendum is passed,

can we only wait to see the increase in our taxes needed to cover the

extra services of police, fire, ambulance, and courts not to mention the

toll of personal tragedy?

Patricia D. Walston

Fayette