Tagged: jay morgan

A Murray city councilman says the group’s decision to allow Sunday alcohol sales at a golf course sends mixed signals to the community even though the issue seems dead.

Councilman Greg Taylor is one of three council members who voted against allowing Sunday sales. He says in a previous reading of the ordinance that allowed sales at the Murray Country Club, the Public Safety Committee suggested Sunday restaurant sales as well. The restaurant language did not make it to a council vote.

Taylor says while the golf course can serve alcohol on Sundays, restaurants won’t anytime soon.

Dr. Joseph (Jay) Morgan has been selected to serve as Murray State University’s next provost by Dr. Randy J. Dunn, MSU president. He was selected from a national pool of 84 candidates and was one of four finalists who interviewed for the position. The Provost serves as the university's chief academic officer.

Morgan holds a B.S. degree in agriculture science and business, and an M.S. in agriculture science from MSU. He earned his Ph.D. at Oklahoma State University in agricultural education.

Murray City Council voted yesterday to pass the first reading of the city’s new alcohol ordinance. Murray voted to move from liquor by the drink sales to a fully wet city in July. Councilman Jay Morgan says the ordinance sets an 8% tax rate for both restaurant and packaged sales. It also sets hours of operation for 6 am to 12 am with no alcohol sales allowed on Sunday. The council has until the 19th to pass the second reading of ordinance. The city council meets again next Thursday.

The shaky economy has led to cutbacks in government at all levels, from the federal budget all the way down to the city of Murray. In a meeting this week, Murray Mayor Bill Wells proposed completely gutting various special appropriations from the city’s 2012/13 budget. The drastic step would help fill a half-million dollar gap for next year, caused by increased expenses and declining revenues.  Half a dozen projects receive special appropriation funding, including Murray Main Street. MMS Director Deana Wright says city funding is an important part of their budget.