Winery approved after court ruling
Gilmer County commissioners revived the position of county public safety director.
Ellijay Fire Chief Sam West was hired for the position and started work Monday, Nov. 18, at a salary of $80,000 according to Gilmer County Chair Charlie Paris.
“I’m looking for somebody who has contacts all over the state of Georgia,” Paris said. “That of course will be Sam. I think he will do a wonderful job. He has all the qualifications for it.”
Post Commissioner Hubert Parker opposed the reestablishment of the position and abstained from the appointment.
“The additional position was not needed inasmuch as those responsibilities are already being handled by very qualified persons,” Parker said. “The addition of another layer of management was unnecessary, and it will be an additional cost to the taxpayers.”
West will oversee the fire department, emergency medical services, emergency management and the fire marshals, Paris said.
The vote was held at a special called meeting Nov. 12.
Winery
Gilmer County commissioners reversed the board’s decision denying a winery and tasting room for Lloyd and Gloria Clark at the same meeting.
Commissioners turned down the initial request for the winery in 2019 and then again in June of 2021, said Lloyd Clark.
Parker pointed out the reversal was due to a decision by a judge in Gwinnett County.
“When we denied it, they filed suit and the judge ruled against us,” said Paris. “We just felt it wasn’t a good fit for the location.”
Commissioners based the denial on the fact there was a church close to the property, as well as other homes, he said.
“In my mind, that is what zoning is all about,” Paris said.
Clark said the county appealed the decision and had the appeal kicked back to the original court.
“Our commissioners must make tough decisions, but in our case, we believed they made improper decisions, and the judicial system agreed by ruling they abused their discretion when they disapproved our farm winery and tasting room permits with no legal basis,” Clark said. “We are thankful that this unnecessary, and costly, five-year struggle has come to an end. Gloria and I love our community and are eager to move forward with our county officials in building Alpas Vineyards into a beautiful and respected business here in Gilmer County.”