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It looks as if Christmas is coming early for Upson County, with the signing of a contract for the county to take over operations of Sprewell Bluff scheduled for early December. Commissioner Steve Hudson told the Board of Commissioners at last Tuesday’s meeting that Mark Whitney of the Georgia Department of Natural Resources (DNR), has set the signing to be on Dec. 4 during the DNR board meeting in Atlanta. The contract will be for a 50-year lease, giving Upson County total operational control of the park.

Hudson has been working on this project for more than eight years and has feared if left in the hands of the DNR, it would end up being closed for operations. Commissioner Ralph Ellington made a motion to give Hudson and Chairman Maurice Raines the authority to sign the contract on behalf of the board, stating he feels it is a great asset and tourist attraction for the county. The board unanimously agreed.

Once everything is official, the county has plans to add amenities to the area as well as constructing an observation deck at the overlook (which is already county owned property) with funding designated for that project in the 2011 SPLOST.

Also during the meeting Tuesday, a beer package license was approved for Mr. Mohammad Tariq on behalf of “Aroma Brothers Inc.” located at 383 MLK Drive in Lincoln Park. Several citizens were present to speak during the public hearing both for and against the establishment. Francis Gibson, who also used to own a store at that location, spoke in favor of Mr. Tariq being granted the license, stating that it was a good location and offered a nearby store for those without the use of a car. On the flip side, Dorothy Reeves spoke against the granting of the license, saying there was already a store in Lincoln Park (McCarty’s Superette) that sold beer and there was no need for another so close by.

After hearing the comments, Commissioner Christopher Biggs noted that Mr. Tariq has met all the requirements and there was no legal reason he could not be granted the license. Therefore, he made a motion to approve, which was supported by the entire board.

Other beer and wine license renewals were approved for the following establishments: Sarina BP (1782 Hwy 19 North); One Stop Citgo (2055 Hwy 19 North); Cat’s Café (1074 Hwy 80); Kelly’s Korner (2011 Yatesville Hwy); Northside Package and Lounge (1054 Hwy 19 North); Southside Grocery (5775 Indian Trial); The Fish Peddler (1702 Hwy 19 North); Flash Foods (1501 Hwy 19 North); American Legion Post 532 (1073 Solomon St.); Bickley’s Lake LLC (189 Rock Hill School Road); Sunoco (2235 Barnesville Hwy); Upson Superette (1038 Atwater Rd.); Wilson’s Market (6456 Crest Hwy); McCarty’s Superette (398 MLK Drive); Hannah’s Mill Convenience Store (1403 Hannah’s Mill Rd); Phoenix Rising Catering (171 Williams Way); Community Superette (424 Jeff Davis Rd).

In other business, the board officially appointed Pam Fuentes as the Interim County Clerk. She has been acting as the County Clerk since the departure of former County Manager Kyle Hood. Chairman Maurice Raines praised Fuentes for doing an outstanding job.