Another meeting on Pussycat Lounge
By John Zornow

Late last week, the Newark Village board responded swiftly to an outcry against a proposal by a Rochester group to bring an adult entertainment club to the downtown area.

A meeting held on September 4, was attended by more than 100 persons.

It was clear from the comments expressed by the public that the proposal was unpopular in Newark. The Mayor asked if anyone in the meeting was in favor of the adult orientated business. No one came forward.

Pirelli indicated that once rumor was separated from fact, he had Village Attorney Art Williams draw up a local law that will minimize the ability of this or any other party to start an adult entertainment business in downtown Newark. The new law would restrict this type of business to I-2 (Heavy Industrial) Zoning District.

Mayor Pirelli stressed several times during the meeting that this type of enterprise is protected by first amendment rights of the constitution. Pirelli made it clear that, in no way can a municipality preclude 100 percent the possibility of this type of thing happening.

After hearing Ange DeJohn scold Mayor Pirelli for censoring the meeting by not wanting anyone to speak, and Pirelli accusing Ms. DeJohn of grandstanding, the board voted unaminously to hold a public hearing on September 15, to adopt the local law pertaining to this issue.

The public is invited to the meeting on Tuesday, Sept. 15 at 5 p.m. at the Community Center on East Avenue.

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