Package Store, Southern Pizza and Looming Taxmageddon

Is Dacula ready for a package store? There was a time not too long ago when an initiative such as this would never have made it off the ground. Times have changed though. Dacula voters overwhelmingly approved Sunday sales and Sunday liquor by the drink sales last November and, based on the comments on this article, and on Facebook, a package store referendum may have a good chance of passing as well. Will enough voters within the city limits of Dacula sign the petition to get the referendum on the ballot? We’ll see.

Not only did Dacula voters overwhelmingly approve Sunday sales, county voters did as well, albeit a bit later. Come May 6, you’ll be able to buy beer and wine throughout the unincorporated parts of the county.

Next week Dacula residents will welcome another business to the area. Dooley’s is scheduled to open Monday. The restaurant will offer specialty pizzas such as the Firebird, Hawaii Five-0, Stairway to Heaven and Super Chicken. I look forward to visiting.

With the 2011 tax season behind us, we can now turn our attention to what some have labeled “Taxmaggedon.” Did you know the average American had to work 107 days this year to meet his or her tax obligations? Next year could be even worse as Americans face a $500 billion tax increase caused by the expiration of several existing tax cuts. If Congress does not act, the average tax bill could go up by an estimated $3,800 per household. It can be easy to just tune out Washington, but this is something you might want to monitor. Be sure to let your elected representatives know your thoughts.

This article received several comments on Dacula Patch and on the Dacula Patch Facebook page. What I find most interesting about this whole situation is how radically different the school environment is from when I was in school. In our very litigious society, tools school administrators once had for maintaining order have been removed. Furthermore, some students who may have unique needs are apparently ending up in an inadequate educational setting. The system is failing not only these children, but also the other children affected by the diversion of instructional time and attention. Maybe this child was not ready for kindergarten, maybe she needed a different type of instruction, but her problems will most likely not be solved by a trip to jail.

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