Results from last week's online poll 4/17/06

semissourian.com

Results from last week's online poll

Last week, 10 residents expressed dissatisfaction to East Cape Girardeau council members over their decision to grant a business and liquor license to the Big Blue Martini, a gentlemen's club that Stephanie Capp plans to open in the former Purple Crackle building. Proponents say it will bring in needed tax revenue. Opponents say the revenue isn't worth the possibility of prostitution and drug use at the club, or the possibility of increased crime in the community. The mayor has said that, because the two-year lease has already been signed, the council has no recourse to prevent the club from moving in.

In last week's poll, the Southeast Missourian asked, What do you think about the gentlemen's club opening in the old Purple Crackle building (797 votes)?

* 36 percent: Opposed

* 29 percent: Fine by me

* 19 percent: I won't go, but it's OK for others

* 16 percent: Don't care

Responses to last week's online poll included:

* "Dirty old men and young women exploiting each other."

* "Why should we care -- it's in Illinois."

* "People don't have to go if they don't want to."

* "Private property is private property. What does it matter what anyone but the owner and renter have to do with it?"

* "Too many people will get in trouble and hurt there. At the end, the Crackle was just a meeting place for those who wanted to cause trouble."

* "The establishment will make no contribution aside from taxes to the community. Strip bars are anti-family and a detriment to our community. Shame on East Cape for allowing this."

* "How sad that this is the only type of business that is profitable. So sad."

* "I think some of these people think the place is going to jump out and bite them. Any kind of business East Cape can get is going to be good for the town."

* "That's AWESOME!"

* "I like naked women."

* "It seems silly to put one in a few miles from the one that's already there."

* "I agree with those who are opposed to the 'gentlemen's club.' Why not call it what it is -- a strip club, or better yet, a brothel."

* "I think it further degrades the already run-down, stigmatized community."

* "I think Orwell would have gotten a kick out of calling a strip bar a gentlemen's club."

* "Why do sleazy people want to ruin a good society?"

* "If a man is truly a gentleman, then what is he doing in a place like that?"

* "I'd much rather have this than a place for hoodlums and gangbangers to congregate."

* "Like we need any more reasons for the girls around here to take their clothes off."

* "It's just another attempt to degrade females, and some of them are stupid enough to let it happen."

* "When is there going to be a dance club with naked guys?"