RESIDENTS OBJECT TO STRIP BAR

Plans for a nightclub in Cape Girardeau that would feature nude dancing has sparked opposition from several residents, including the owners of nearby businesses.

Dillard Dale, owner of Auto Trim Design, was one of four people who objected to the proposed nightclub at a meeting of the City Council Tuesday night.

"I don't think it is morally correct," he said.

But city officials say that if the liquor license application of Night Clubs Inc. is in order, the City Council must approve it.

The issue is expected to be taken up at the Jan. 17 council meeting.

"It is sort of a cut and dried deal," Mayor Al Spradling III said.

Spradling said Cape Girardeau has no ordinance prohibiting a strip bar, provided that the business complies with liquor regulations.

"The character of the owner or owners comes into play, and the council would have to determine if this was a clean, orderly and legitimate business," Spradling said.

The president and sole shareholder of Night Clubs Inc. is Regina Capps of Paducah, Ky.

Capps operates Regina's House of Dolls in Paducah. She wants to open a similar establishment at 805 Enterprise, a commercial area in Cape Girardeau.

Paducah police say Regina's House of Dolls is a well-run operation, according to Cape Girardeau Police Chief Howard Boyd Jr.

David Rosener, a Cape Girardeau attorney representing Night Clubs Inc., was irritated by the council's refusal to consider the liquor license request Tuesday night.

He said city officials were dragging their feet. "Someone at city hall has been playing cat and mouse with the application."

"Quite clearly, we are entitled to a liquor license," Rosener added.

He predicted the council's inaction will only delay approval for two weeks. Renovations are all but completed on the building. "All we have to do is install the toilets."

Rosener said council approval is needed before Night Clubs Inc. can request a state liquor license.

Spradling said the issue wasn't on Tuesday's agenda, because the police department still is conducting a criminal check and general character check on the corporation's three officers.

Dale, whose auto trim business is situated at 807 Enterprise, questioned if the proposed nightclub has sufficient parking.

"It will force me to fence my property to keep vehicles out," he said.

Steve Engles, president of KBSI-TV, also opposes the venture. The nightclub would be across the street from the TV station.

Engles said it wouldn't be a good atmosphere for his female employees and the children who regularly visit the station.

Cape resident Donna Miller said such an establishment would be offensive. "Number one, I don't want to violate our community standards."

J. Gregory Hutsell, president of Hut Co. Inc. at 821 Progress, worried that such an establishment would lead to increased crime in the commercial area.

Cape Girardeau County Prosecuting Attorney Morley Swingle said earlier Tuesday that state law doesn't prohibit nude dancing. But there is a three-part definition that would prohibit obscenity.

"If nude dancing involves an activity that meets the legal definition of obscenity, then you could successfully prosecute someone," he said.

Swingle said an example of obscenity would be pop music star and actress Madonna's stage act. "But if the dancers are just dancing nude, they are not violating any state law," the prosecutor said.

Boyd said state liquor license regulations prohibit dancers from being totally nude. "They have to wear a G-string and pasties."