Fencing in adult "clubs"
By John Zornow

In order to regulate adult entertainment, but stay within guidelines of the First Amendment, village fathers had to provide a place for Rochester businessman Michael Grande to operate an adult club. The board strengthened the law by re-adopting it through the zoning process (section 41 of the Newark Village Code).

Now, Grande and partner Joe Esposito will be forced to locate their enterprise in Newark in a heavy industrial zone, (Fold-Pak, Bloom Road area).

At Tuesday afternoon's public hearing, Village Attorney Art Williams stressed that if the board left Grande's business nowhere to go, then the action would be unconstituional. To answer a resident's question, Williams stated that a 1000 minimum setback from churches, schools, homes, etc. would also be too restrictive.

The Rev. Barbara Kauber of St. Mark's Episcopal Church asked if a version of this law has been through the courts. Williams indicated that this law is modeled after others that have been challenged, and that he is comfortable with it.

A resident asked how downtown bar, Shooters, will be affected by the new law. Art Williams responded that Shooters will NOT be grandfathered under this law, and that John Bilotta, owner of the bar, does not have a problem with the new law.

Local pastors Earl Green and Dan Benedict praised the board for their efforts in this adult entertainment matter, and offered 100% support.

In the regular session that followed the hearing, the board unaminously adopted the new adult entertainment law.

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