Kate Svagdis

Kate Svagdis wants the ability to order an alcoholic beverage at a family restaurant, on a Sunday, without leaving Baker County. And she’s willing to mount a petition drive to make it happen.

The retired Macclenny resident and fervent anti-tax activist discounted support on religious grounds of the county’s ban on Sunday alcohol sales, citing the use of wine in certain Christian rites and Jesus’ miracle at the Cana wedding feast.

Her motivation in calling for the law’s repeal, and the City of Macclenny’s ban too, is the hope that sit-down chain restaurants like Chili’s, Applebees or Longhorn Steakhouse will open new locations here.

“I’m not looking to go to hell, I’m trying to figure out how to increase our tax base,” Ms. Svagdis said.

Baker County Commission chairman Alex Robinson directed the board’s legal counsel last week to draft an ordinance that would, in effect, prohibit so-called Internet cafes that feature electronic sweepstakes games resembling those found in casinos.

“We’re going to scrutinize Internet cafes,” he said during the commission’s July 6 workshop prior to its regular meeting. “They better be legit or they won’t get in here.”

About 18 months ago, county planning staff began receiving inquires about plans to open what planning department secretary Patricia Bass called “electronic game rooms.”

“I started checking the LDRs [land development regulations] and we had nothing on computer game rooms,” she said.