Residents thirsty for a cocktail in unincorporated Coweta County will probably

have to wait for the new year before quenching their thirst.

County administrator Theron Gay said the county's new ordinance closely

mirrors that of the city of Newnan's.

Coweta's voters decided by a large margin in March to approve pouring

of liquor in the unincorporated county.

In a sharp contrast to a vote in 1997, the citizens decided by a 52-48

percent margin to allow liquor by the drink in the unincorporated county.

Businesses who want to sell liquor by the drink must pay a $5,000 yearly

license fee, and have all their servers identified by badges.

"We're going to wait until the first of the year, because by

the time this is finalized, there will only be one-quarter of the year left," said

Gay.

The proposal to get the issue on the ballot was spearheaded in 2003 by

the County Commission Chairman Leigh Schlumper.

Residents in nearby unincorporated Fayette County will decide the liquor

issue next month in the July 20 primary election.