Bethlehem Council Approves Annexation, Denies Sunday Alcohol Vote

The Bethlehem Town Council voted Monday night to approve the annexation of 57.87 acres owned by Clay and Joyce McDaniel into city limits. The property, located on Monroe Highway and Mcelhannon Road, is zoned agricultural, and the council voted to keep it designated as such. 

The acres are located on either side of and do not touch in places. Government-owned land, even if not in city limits, can be used as a bridge to create contiguous properties for annexing purposes. 

The Barrow County Board of Commissioners approved the annexation in their June 28 meeting.  

"No" to Sunday alcohol sales

The council also discussed putting Sunday alcohol sales on the ballot. Other cities in Barrow County are set to vote on the issue in November.

All council members agreed they wanted to leave things as they are now. 

"Get enough on Saturday to last you Sunday," Post 1 Council Member Tommy Parten suggested. 

Bethlehem Star Festival decisions made

The council approved spending $378 on a radio advertisement for the Bethlehem Star Festival which will air on Real Country Q92.3. The ad will air for a full week before the festival.

The council also approved paying River Street, a local band, $600 to play the last two hours of the festival.

The band has said that they would find other acts which would play for free and would provide their own equipment. The city does not plan on renting a stage this year.

Other Business:

• The council approved $1,295 to purchase a half-page advertisement in the Chamber of Commerce Newcomer's Guide, which is published every two years. The rate for the ad remains the same. The new guides will be printed next year. 
• The council received an update on the intersection planned for Georgia Highway 11 and Carl-Bethlehem Road. Only one bid packet had been picked up thus far. Bids for the construction phase are due by August 16, and bids will be opened at 2 p.m. that day. A special called meeting to approve a bid will be held Monday, Aug. 22 at 7 p.m. 
• The council approved transferring the city's lease of 762 Mistletoe Street from Cottontail Cottage to new owner Virginia Leathers. Leathers is renaming the business Bluebird Cottage Antiques. The lease will run until Dec. 2012. 

Bethlehem Town Council will have their next city council meeting on Monday, Sept. 12 at 7 p.m.