VIDALIA — The Vidalia Board of Aldermen met briefly Tuesday to issue alcohol permits for the coming year.

The beer and liquor licenses approved Monday were for all businesses and restaurants that sell alcohol in the city limits. Three of the licenses were approved provisionally because the businesses had not provided their application fee.

When Alderman Ricky Knapp asked if the city had experienced any problems with businesses that sell beer and liquor, Mayor Hyram Copeland said it had not.

“This has been one of the quietest years since I have been here,” he said.

In other news:

4Alderman Tron McCoy asked City Attorney Scott McLemore where the city was in terms of implementing a new ordinance that would help speed the process of adjudicating blighted properties.

McLemore said the city needs to find and appoint a hearing officer to conduct adjudication hearings before the ordinance can be applied in full effect.

4The aldermen did not discuss any other business, but wished the public a happy holidays.

“I want to wish each and every one a merry Christmas and happy New Year,” Copeland said. “I want to thank the good Lord for blessing this community.”

Copeland also briefly alluded to the upcoming municipal elections, for which a number of aldermen and one mayor’s candidate have qualified. The election will be March 5.

“I want to thank those who have participated and given us an opportunity for serving you for the last 12 months — and last 35 years — and I want to thank those who want to participate in the future. We wish those good luck, and we are looking forward to the next several months,” he said.