LOCAL NEWS — Based on the recommendation of Metro Mayor Bonnie Lewis, the Metro Council voted to extend the number of beer board members from three to five.

“After speaking with several other similar sized communities, I discovered that a five member board is more common for several reasons,” said Mayor Lewis.

In 2007, then Mayor Peggy Gattis established the board officially with the Metro Council with just three board members. However, as beer board petitions increase, Mayor Lewis wanted to expand the leadership to give it a little breathing room for absences and conflicts of interest. The Beer Board currently consists of Chairman Buford Jennings and Amy Cashion. Member Tommy Brown resigned from the board in August. Under the previous three person membership, only two members were required to make a quorum. This left Mayor Lewis in a position of having to cast the winning vote in the event of a tie. Prior to the vote, Chairman Jennings was asked for his input on the change.

“I think it’s a good idea,” he says. “Amy and I been a bit lonely.”

Mayor Lewis also appointed Mark Watkins to the Metro Beer Board to replace Brown at the meeting. Both the five member extension and Watkins were unanimously approved. Mayor Lewis will present two more beer board members for approval at a future meeting. The Metro Council meets every third Monday and will meet again on October 21 at 6:30 p.m. at the American Legion Building in Lynchburg. •