Norwood says she's willing to study liquor sales idea

By Eric Stirgus

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Atlanta mayoral candidate Mary Norwood said Tuesday she's willing to hear out the economic advantages of extending liquor sales hours.

Norwood, a city councilwoman who lives in Buckhead, said she would prefer to create a task force of hospitality industry leaders, neighborhood leaders and others to study the issue. Norwood said at a campaign stop in the Summerhill community Tuesday that her main concerns would be how extending last call would be the traffic, noise and security impact around surrounding neighborhoods.

Councilman Kwanza Hall introduced a resolution Monday asking the city to put together a report on the financial benefits of extending the hours to sell liquor from 2:30 a.m. to 4 a.m. The city changed the hours in 2003 from 4 a.m. to 2:30 a.m.