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Blount County Sheriff's deputies briefly detained a man for an outburst during the County Commission meeting Thursday night.

The man, who identified himself as Randy Cable, had spoken at length during public comments, in a sometimes confusing manner, about constitutional law and property rights. He seemed to be in opposition to proposed administrative revisions to the county's stormwater regulations.

"You treasonous, traitorous trash," Cable yelled as the commission prepared to vote on referring the resolution to an ad hoc committee. "This is unlawful."

Cable then stormed out, but was brought back in by deputies. He was warned that the outburst could be considered disorderly conduct, but was not arrested, according to deputies.

The ad hoc committee will look at all the county's stormwater regulations before bringing back a recommendation.

"In light of tonight's events, we might want to request security at our next ad hoc meeting," County Commissioner Wendy Pitts Reeves said.

There has been much public confusion about the various stormwater regulations that are required by the federal government, involving concerns that the resolutions diminish property rights.

Beer permit approved

In other business, the County Commission held its collective nose and voted to approve a highly contested special event beer permit application for Ridge Valley Farms on Six Mile Road.

Sitting as the Beer Board, the commission approved business owner Mimi Wiese Hiatt's application on the second try. It had previously denied the application but rescinded that decision after Hiatt filed a lawsuit in Blount County Chancery Court.

The commission voted 11-9 to approve the permit. Commissioners David Ballard, Tonya Burchfield, Gary Farmer, Mark Hasty, Scott Helton, John Keeble, Gerald Kirby, Mike Lewis, Kenneth Melton, Robert Ramsey and Wendy Pitt Reeves voted yes. Commissioners Ron French, David Graham, Steve Hargis, Brad Harrison, Holden Lail, Monika Murrell, Robert Proffitt, Steve Samples and Mike Walker voted no.

French tried to have the application tabled until Rob Goddard, attorney for the county mayor, researches whether the on-premise beer permit would allow people to carry beer from one part of the business to another. French also wanted to know the definition of "special event."

The motion to table failed. Prior to the vote, Hiatt's attorney said that his client would turn to the courts if the commission didn't approve the application.

"We put that on hold to allow this board a second opportunity to address this issue and award that permit," attorney Michael Stanuszek said. "If the permit is not granted here today, we may go through Chancery Court as opposed to coming back here."

'Private club' advertised

Several commissioners had questions about the special events permit issued to business owner, especially as commissioners discussed Web site advertising copy that referred to a "private club" on the site.

"My own personal bias in this case is there are too many loose ends," Lail said. "The advertising may be a mistake, but that's sort of leaving us hanging out there.... Maybe you guys are overstepping your bounds on this and that creates a problem with me."

Harrison brought up the fact that Hiatt had allegedly violated private covenants with adjoining landowners in operating the business.

"The business was put on there illegally against the restrictions ... I don't see how it can be grandfathered to begin with," he said.

"The restrictions are private covenants," Goddard said. "The government doesn't have a right to enforce those."

Hasty asked if Hiatt had met all the legal requirements for the application.

"In my opinion, she has," Goddard said.

Wayne Oliver, who lives nearby, spoke against the application.

"Alcohol and that road don't mix," Oliver said. "I hope you see to shut her down one way or another."

Use grandfathered

Hiatt's property is not zoned for commercial business, but because she operated the special events center before zoning, it is grandfathered as an existing use.

"She is grandfathered, but only for that use," Goddard said. "This beer board could not issue her a permit except for to continue the use as a special events use."

Hiatt's attorney said his client will dismiss the lawsuit if the County Commission pays court costs.

In other business, the County Commission approved a settlement for an accident involving a sheriff's deputy and a couple from Michigan. The amount of the settlement was not available at press time, but it was more than $50,000.