If you're looking

to get a martini with your dinner, you'll still need to head to Peachtree

City or Fayetteville, since Tyrone officials rejected a liquor by the

drink proposal last week.

A number of

Tyrone citizens turned out at last Thursday's City Council meeting to

protest the possibility of adding a "liquor by the drink" referendum

to the November's ballot. After lengthy discussion by board members and

concerned townsfolk, the proposed referendum died without a vote.

Councilman

Ray Bogenschutz argued heartily for the change in the liquor law.

"We have

to decide how we want to continue our community as it grows." Bogenschutz

said.

"I'm tired

of going out of town to a fine restaurant. We are surrounded by two communities

that have liquor by the drink," said Councilman Michael Smola.

But most of

the residents at the meeting agreed with one of the town's ministers.

The Rev. Farrell

Dowdy, pastor of Crestwood Baptist Church, was present and approached

the podium with a well-worn Bible in his hands. "I'm opposed to liquor,"

he said. "I'm opposed to any alcoholic beverage."

He went on

to quote the Bible, saying, "'Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging:

and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise.'"

"We should

be closing them down, not opening them up." Dowdy added, referring

to other establishments in the area who already serve beer and wine.

Councilmen

Paul Letourneau, Lisa Richardson and Mayor Sheryl Lee said they had not

heard from any residents who were in favor of the proposal, and would

not support putting it on the ballot until the majority of residents wanted

it.

In related

business Thursday night, developer Burt Clark brought forth his request

to rezone a two-acre lot on Tyrone Road and Dogwood Trail. Clark wanted

to open a "specialty meat and deli takeout place" he said, "with

an accompanying catering business to offer something more than you can

get at Publix or Kroger." Clark said the shop would also sell wine

to accompany the takeout meals.

John Watkins

of 120 Meadowood Lane had concerns about "huge bottlenecks"

on Dogwood Lane which he pointed out "was never designed to handle

the traffic."

"Where's

it going to stop?" he asked. "If you approve this, he's going

to come back with another recommendation in the future."

But after several

citizens spoke up in protest of the store, Clark stood up and shocked

the crowd.

"I would

like to withdraw my request for rezoning," he said. He then left

the meeting.

As the majority

of those who spoke up at Thursday's meeting concurred, the bedroom community

of Tyrone will stay just as it is for now.