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The war against Hustler

SuperDude

Detroit, Michigan

November 25. 2009 1:00AM
Ministers try to stop opening of Lincoln Park strip club
1,000 letters ask state panel to deny liquor license for Hustler
Steve Pardo / The Detroit News
Dimondale -- Lincoln Park ministers on Tuesday gave the Liquor Control Commission an estimated 1,000 letters protesting the opening of a controversial strip club and pleaded with officials not to grant it a liquor license.
"We believe this is dangerous and destructive to the community," said Russell Bone, pastor of the Lincoln Park Church of Christ. "We are urgently praying you don't grant this license."
Tuesday's Liquor Control Commission hearing was perhaps the final chance for residents and the ministers to stop the opening of the $4.2 million Larry Flynt's Hustler Club at John A. Papalas Drive and West Outer Drive.
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Critics worry the club will bring in more crime, drugs and prostitution. Attorneys for the club say the area is zoned for such a facility and said there was no legal right to deny the liquor license.
"This is the place in Lincoln Park where adult businesses can go," said Lansing-based attorney Brad Shafer. "All we needed was site plan approval to establish an adult business there."
Commissioners are expected to rule within a few days. If approved, the club could open by the end of the week, said Frank Palazzolo, an attorney representing the Hustler Club.
"My client has no intention of allowing his business to become a problem in the community," Palazzolo said. "I'm hoping we can all work together."
The Rev. Frank Julian of the nearby Faith Christian Assembly held a prayer service in Lincoln Park at 2 p.m. Tuesday -- the same time as the hearing in the small community in Eaton County.
"We love the people and feel this is a detriment, not a blessing. Prevention is the best medicine. If we can stop it, we will help people in the long run," Julian said.
The hearing was the latest fight in a battle that's been going on for two years. The city faced lawsuits over zoning issues and council members themselves were called before a federal judge Oct. 13. U.S. District Judge Nancy Edmund admonished four council members for holding up the opening of the club by not approving a liquor license transfer.
The council members -- Valerie Brady, Mariano DiSanto, Thomas Murphy and Michael Myers -- maintained Hustler has not filled out the proper paperwork. The judge threatened fines of $12,000 a day. Council members approved the transfer that night.
The club was set to open Halloween, but inappropriate wording in that approval caused further delays.
Council members again approved the transfer Nov. 3, prompting the issue to appear before the Liquor Control Commission on Tuesday.
November 25. 2009 1:00AM
Ministers try to stop opening of Lincoln Park strip club
1,000 letters ask state panel to deny liquor license for Hustler
Steve Pardo / The Detroit News
Dimondale -- Lincoln Park ministers on Tuesday gave the Liquor Control Commission an estimated 1,000 letters protesting the opening of a controversial strip club and pleaded with officials not to grant it a liquor license.
"We believe this is dangerous and destructive to the community," said Russell Bone, pastor of the Lincoln Park Church of Christ. "We are urgently praying you don't grant this license."
Tuesday's Liquor Control Commission hearing was perhaps the final chance for residents and the ministers to stop the opening of the $4.2 million Larry Flynt's Hustler Club at John A. Papalas Drive and West Outer Drive.
Advertisement
Critics worry the club will bring in more crime, drugs and prostitution. Attorneys for the club say the area is zoned for such a facility and said there was no legal right to deny the liquor license.
"This is the place in Lincoln Park where adult businesses can go," said Lansing-based attorney Brad Shafer. "All we needed was site plan approval to establish an adult business there."
Commissioners are expected to rule within a few days. If approved, the club could open by the end of the week, said Frank Palazzolo, an attorney representing the Hustler Club.
"My client has no intention of allowing his business to become a problem in the community," Palazzolo said. "I'm hoping we can all work together."
The Rev. Frank Julian of the nearby Faith Christian Assembly held a prayer service in Lincoln Park at 2 p.m. Tuesday -- the same time as the hearing in the small community in Eaton County.
"We love the people and feel this is a detriment, not a blessing. Prevention is the best medicine. If we can stop it, we will help people in the long run," Julian said.
The hearing was the latest fight in a battle that's been going on for two years. The city faced lawsuits over zoning issues and council members themselves were called before a federal judge Oct. 13. U.S. District Judge Nancy Edmund admonished four council members for holding up the opening of the club by not approving a liquor license transfer.
The council members -- Valerie Brady, Mariano DiSanto, Thomas Murphy and Michael Myers -- maintained Hustler has not filled out the proper paperwork. The judge threatened fines of $12,000 a day. Council members approved the transfer that night.
The club was set to open Halloween, but inappropriate wording in that approval caused further delays.
Council members again approved the transfer Nov. 3, prompting the issue to appear before the Liquor Control Commission on Tuesday.