Anti-strip club group getting ready to Speak Out

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Written by: 195 on Jan 28, 2010

MENDON An anti-adult entertainment organization is remobilizing and will present information at a public hearing Monday on a local company's request for a strip club license.

Laurie Sweet, a member of Speak Out Mendon, said even though there isn't a lot of time to get ready for the Feb. 1 meeting, her group will make a presentation.

"A lot of people still don't know about it ... we need awareness," said Sweet.

She said she hopes homeowners put their anti-adult entertainment lawn signs out and show up for the hearing.

The group will probably prepare a presentation based on facts about secondary effects of strip clubs, Sweet said, like the one it prepared during the public hearing for Showtime Entertainment LLC's first application. The new presentation will also address any additional concerns that the latest application has brought up, she said.

George and Christopher Funari, under the Showtime name, submitted their third application for a strip club late last month.

Citing traffic and safety concerns, selectmen denied their first application in 2008. The board denied a second application in March 2009 after members deemed it too similar to the first and cited a state law that the applicant had to wait one year before reapplying for another license.

In October 2008, the town passed bylaws that restrict the size of any adult entertainment establishment to 2,000 square feet and one-story.

Showtime's latest application proposes a 6,000-square-foot building in the adult entertainment district at 49 Milford St., which is at the same location as its current business, Oak Tree Supply.

"I think the (last) presentation helped the Board of Selectmen make their decision," said Sweet. "I personally can't understand it. If the town has bylaws, they have to be followed ... If they already want to bend the rules, what other rules are they going to bend?"

Sweet said she and other members of Speak Out Mendon may meet again before the hearing, and anyone interested in helping the cause should e-mail volunteer@speakoutmendon.org.

"I don't want people to think it's a done deal ... I want people's awareness," said Sweet. "You don't have to talk, but come to the meeting, sit and be present. I'm not asking people to do anything but show up."

The public hearing for the adult entertainment license is at 7:30 p.m. at Miscoe Hill School on Monday. Selectmen will meet beforehand at 7 p.m. to discuss administrative issues.

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