Frank Melton shuts down strip club!

[lamarrebel]

Jackson Mayor Frank Melton ordered an adult entertainment club closed early Sunday after he and police detectives visited the club and witnessed what the mayor said were violations of the city's nudity laws.

"I've never been so embarrassed in my life," said Melton, who was in Richmond, Va., on Sunday evening for a conference.

At 1:30 a.m. Melton said he went into Center Folds at 960 S. West St. with two Jackson officers. They had been to two other adult clubs before and saw no violations, Melton said. But when he went into Center Folds, he said he saw a female dancer totally nude on all fours engaging in inappropriate acts with customers. He said he also saw a man and woman having sex in the club."I saw it with my own eyes," Melton said. "It was disgusting."

The Jackson city ordinance governing nudity in clubs states that a woman's private areas must be covered. It also prohibits the dancer from touching a patron and a patron from touching a dancer "in a state of nudity."Melton said he made the nearly 100 people in the club leave and had police tape off the building.

No one was cited, and no arrests were made.

"I don't have anywhere to put them," Melton said.Melton said he gave the women who were working as dancers "a very good lecture."

Hinds County Sheriff Capt. Steve Pickett said the jail is not taking persons charged with misdemeanors."After coming back, I will file charges to see if I can get the place shut down permanently," Melton said.

Calls made to Gilbert Paige, the listed agent of Sweet Entertainment Inc., were not returned Sunday evening.

Charles Hobby, who said he was an adviser to the club, said the club usually closes at 2 a.m. and will continue to operate as it has."We will be open tomorrow night," Hobby said. "We are going to open up tomorrow night like we always do."

Vice Sgt. William Gladney said the police periodically check on adult entertainment businesses to ensure there are no illegal activities taking place. In order for the vice unit to shut a business down, a court order must be obtained, he said.Gladney added there have been violations in all the adult entertainment clubs.

Gladney said Center Folds originally was shut down at 501 S. West McDowell in 1999 for being nuisance to the community but opened back up on West Street.

In November, Hobby was charged with violating a city ordinance after officers said they saw sex toys for sale and witnessed "illicit activities" in back rooms of Adult Video and Bookstore on McDowell Road. The store also is owned by Sweet Entertainment." (end of story)


This article is too funny...and so like Melton to show up like that. This Mayor's energy ceases to amaze me. The funniest fast was where he said that he'd given the dancers working there, "a very good lecture". Having lived in Jackson for 3 1/2 years and remembering his WLBT "Bottom Line's", I can imagine it went something like this.

"In my O-pin-YUNN, you are a bunch of wh#res, hookers, and prostitutes who need to get off your behind and do something for yourselves, besides having babies out of wedlock. And that, my gals, is the BOTTOM LINE!"

[Lylabean]

Melton has to be naive if he doesn't think this kind of thing happens in these clubs. I can't believe he was shocked...just a few months ago didn't they raid a massage parlor?

We use to live on McDowell and I remember when Center Folds was there...its was one of the more tamer places to go. There was one club, think they are closed now, that advertised bottttomless dancers and you had to bring your own beer to that one.

Jackson just needs to get rid of them once and for all.

[Jessica]

I agree Lyla. You can provide entertainment to intrigue the men without taking your clothes off. I did it in my movie, and they seemed to enjoy it just fine.

[lamarrebel]

it's been too many years since I last watched Roger Rabbit...lol...I think he enjoyed the entertainment, for sure!

[noway]

First of all I like Frank Melton he is trying his best to make Jackson a better place... NOw my problem is keep them in line but don't run them out of jackson..If you don't like it dont go..Thats awhole different topic and we could argue to dooms day about it.. Some people like going some dont..More things in life causes americans problems not just strip clubs...

[IGID]

QM, there are none in Hattiesburg or Forrest County. There were a few a couple of years ago in the county but the supervisors passed a ordinace outlawing nudity of any sort and they closed down.

[fuzzis]

Have never really understood the big deal about strip clubs or even porn, but as noway says, that's a completely different discussion.

fuzzis

[Conveyor Belt]

I want to volunteer to be the official state of Mississippi adult entertainment inspector. I will do this almost free of charge. I need a $100/day stipend plus entrance and tipping money... oh, and travel too. I will be unwavering in upholding the standards of adult entertainment. We will be known nationwide as the Mecca of quality adult entertainment.

[wilebill]

We will be known nationwide as the Mecca of quality adult entertainment.
And you've got the fez to go along with it!

[noway]

I want to volunteer to be the official state of Mississippi adult entertainment inspector. I will do this almost free of charge. I need a $100/day stipend plus entrance and tipping money... oh, and travel too. I will be unwavering in upholding the standards of adult entertainment. We will be known nationwide as the Mecca of quality adult entertainment.

I will never forget one time I was working undercover many years ago(im serious) and they gave me 100 dollars to go in the club and try to catch the dancers doing *lude* acts (miss fuzzis thats a big word huh) Im heading down to the club, pull in and freaking closed sign on the dang door....:sad: :cry: :smt065

[lamarrebel]

It looks like Marshall Ramsey didn't disappoint this morning either!

[fuzzis]

I will never forget one time I was working undercover many years ago(im serious) and they gave me 100 dollars to go in the club and try to catch the dancers doing *lude* acts (miss fuzzis thats a big word huh) Im heading down to the club, pull in and freaking closed sign on the dang door....:sad: :cry: :smt065

*sigh* It would have been perfect if you'd spelled it right, sweets. "Lewd".

:-D

fuzzis

[noway]

Thanks Teacher...

Lets see is it Too Hot for Teacher? or TEACHER!!!Why don't you leave them kids alone?

:smt102 :smt102 :smt102

[fuzzis]

Thanks Teacher...

Lets see is it Too Hot for Teacher? or TEACHER!!!Why don't you leave them kids alone?

:smt102 :smt102 :smt102

Actually...it's "Hot for Teacher"...and I frequently left kids alone. (There was probably more than once that we actually listened to The Wall) :-D

fuzzis

[lamarrebel]

Very true....having a 7 year old daughter now myself, I've learned that this is every father's worst fear.

[noway]

http://www.clarionledger.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060212/NEWS/60212005

6 dancers and Manager arrested over the weekend in Jackson.. Doesn't cops have better things to do... This is just like the no turn signal ticket thread.. :( :(

[fuzzis]

I wonder if there's a test involved for an "adult entertainment license"? Is there a written and a hands-on portion? What about an oral examination?

:smt102

fuzzis

[fuzzis]

Oh, Fuzzis! LOL!!! You are so bad!!! :-D ROFL!

I had to take a test for my teaching license. I would think that we'd want to hold our "adult entertainers" to the highest of standards. Perhaps we could get a NSLB law introduced for them (is it "stripper"? or is "dancer" the more PC term? If so, it'd make it a NDLB).

:smt102

fuzzis

[Conveyor Belt]

Hmmm... frisking dancers...

[Conveyor Belt]

[quote=fuzzis] What about an oral examination?

[quote]

God, I sure HOPE so!

[lamarrebel]

I wonder where the Mayor was for this latest raid?? I thought for sure he'd be around to give another one of his "good lectures". Of course, since he was so "embarrassed" by his first strip club visit, maybe he couldn't handle another.

[missmoselle]

Has anyone thought of the fact that he may himself got caught in the place and decided to shut it down before the news got out?

[noway]

http://www.clarionledger.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060224/NEWS/602240353/1001/news

Why does the mayor keep going in these places? I would think the employees would reconize him when he walked in..

ONly one left in town....:( :(

[lamarrebel]

:-D http://www.clarionledger.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060224/NEWS/602240353/1001/news

Why does the mayor keep going in these places? I would think the employees would reconize him when he walked in..

ONly one left in town....:( :(

It seems like passing around a picture of Mayor Frank would be a part of "Strippers Orientation" nowadays. I still can't stop laughing over the thought of Frank Melton's "good lecture" from the original story. :-D

[lamarrebel]

http://www.clarionledger.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060311/NEWS/603110350


Two more clubs have now bitten the dust for "not having the proper license". Noway, what are you going to do for roadtrips now? lol

[IGID]

Hmm. That link just told me how to win a Ford Ranger if I did a cheer or something. I wanted to see something about some trashy strippers.

[lamarrebel]

Sorry about the goof....I corrected the link above. :smt119

[IGID]

I kindof have to agree with the club owner. Jackson has way too many crimes happening in public against innocent people to have police checking business licenses. Isn't there a department who's job that is? If the people don't like the strip clubs, don't go in.

[lamarrebel]

The latest in the strip club saga!
(clarionledger)

Federal judge to hear closing arguments in topless bar's effort to reopen
By Kathleen Baydala
kbaydala@clarionledger.com (kbaydala@clarionledger.com)


Closing arguments are scheduled in federal court Thursday morning in the hearing to grant a temporary restraining order to Babe's Showclub against the city.
Bobby Weathersby, a sign and license inspector, Yolanda Shaw, a licensing clerk, and Detective Samuel Gardner, who oversees the application process, all testified today on behalf of the city.

Weathersby and Shaw work for the city's sign and permit division, which is separate from the police department's license and permit unit.

Attorneys for Babe's Showclub are arguing that Jackson police improperly closed the topless bar and violated the owner's and employees' rights to appeal.

Attorneys for the city have said club operators had the opportunity to contest the closure before the City Council, but they did not request a hearing.

This is the club's second attempt this year to obtain a restraining order against the city.

If U.S. District Judge Henry T. Wingate grants the restraining order, the club could reopen.

On March 10, police closed Babe's Showclub."

[tripp]

suprise suprise

[lamarrebel]

from Clarion Ledger.com "Wingate allows Adult Club to Reopen"

Less than two hours after a federal judge on Friday ruled Babes Showclub could reopen, a few customers were trickling into the adult entertainment club, workers were icing down beer and managers were calling dancers to come into work.
"Everybody's been sitting on go," Babes manager Ricky Merritt said. "For our employees and girls, this is their livelihood. People may not agree with what we do, but this is how we pay our bills and take care of our families."
But in ruling against the city Friday, U.S. District Court Judge Henry T. Wingate ordered the club to re-apply for an adult entertainment license by April 14.
The club closed on March 11 after police cited it for having an invalid adult entertainment license. Two weeks later, lawyers for the club were in federal court seeking a restraining order against the city.
During the weeklong hearing, club attorneys argued that police improperly shut down the club and violated club operators' rights to appeal.
Lawyers for the city argued club operators did not follow proper steps for obtaining an adult entertainment license and did not request a hearing to appeal the closure.
A police detective testified the last valid license on record expired in March 2004. Club managers testified the city granted them temporary licenses for 2005 and 2006.
"This court cannot accept the contention that the plaintiff (Babes) failed to follow the ordinance when the city did not itself," Wingate ruled about 3:30 p.m. Friday.
The judge said he granted Babes' request for a restraining order because the city violated its own adult entertainment ordinance by not acting on the club's application for a license in a timely manner and by granting the club temporary licenses, which the ordinance does not allow.
Luke Lirot, a lawyer for Babes from Tampa, Fla., said the club's next step will be to collect damages from the city.
However, Pieter Teeuwissen, a special assistant to the city attorney, said the judge's decision was a victory for local government.
"Judge Wingate recognized that this club has not submitted a proper application for 2006," Teeuwissen said. "The only reason the city closed this club is because the club refused to submit an application for 2006."
General Manager Bo Powell said his employees will begin putting the application together Monday.
Also next week, Wingate said he will hand down his decision on a case filed in 2001 by Babes Showclub challenging the constitutionality of the city's adult entertainment ordinance. The trial for that case ended in 2003.
Wingate said he was about to issue an opinion in February but held off because of the club's effort to get a restraining order.
Since early this year, topless clubs have seen a whirlwind of closures and arrests for various ordinance violations from allowing completely nude dancing to lying on license applications.
Jackson Mayor Frank Melton has said several times he wants to rid the city of topless bars.
Melton had little to say Friday. "My strategy there will be to follow the order of the judge," he said.
At Babes, the mood was light. Customers and bartenders discussed local politics, and managers made special pasties featuring a cartoon of the mayor's face for dancers to wear.
But down West Street, topless bar Centerfolds remained closed. A worker was brushing on a fresh coat of green paint.
Police closed Centerfolds and Girls of Paradise on Feb. 11 because they had evidence that the clubs' owner, Gilbert Paige, provided "false and misleading" information on his license application.
Paige said Friday that the club is working to reopen and has applied for an adult entertainment license under different ownership."


Commentary: Judge Wingate has had quite a high profile week, jailing Paul Minor and letting a strip club reopen! I wonder if Frank Melton wishes he still had his "Bottom Line" commentary to berate the Judge over this ruling??