This time around the Calcasieu Parish Police Jury (CPPJ) heeded the advice of their counsel. With a court decision this week overturning the CPPJ's previous decision to not grant a liquor license to Vinton Golf & Travel LLC, owners of The Gentlemen Club in Vinton, there was only one obvious outcome at the Jury's Thursday meeting. The license was granted.
"I have looked at the permit which has been filed. It meets every requirement that we have under our ordinance," said attorney Allen Smith at the August 19th meeting of the Police Jury.
"So technically we cannot deny it," he added.
Against Smith's advise, they denied it that night. He then cautioned them that a lawsuit was likely. It was filed the following day.
On Monday, Judge Robert Wyatt ruled in favor of the club and ordered the Police Jury to grant the license at their next regular meeting.
On Thursday, the issue was brought before jurors.
"The court has ordered this body to go forward and have a permit issued," said Allen.
"It's been taken out of your hands."
He told the Police Jury in plain terms that what was at issue was the granting of a liquor permit, the same one that any restaurant may apply for, and that talk of what other activities go on inside the building had no relevance to the permit itself.
"This is nothing more and nothing less than a request to grant a liquor permit or liquor license," said Smith.
Smith advised the jurors that no discussion and no public input on the matter was needed. However, after approving the license, jurors allowed Reverend Rob Tibbits, pastor of Crossroads Baptist Church in Vinton and spokesman for the group opposing the club, time to speak.
"I understand you hands are tied," said Tibbits in regards to the license.
He thanked the Police Jury for their initial vote against the license and stated that he hopes to work with them in the future with regards to zoning issues. Tibbits has publicly spoken out against current zoning laws in regards to businesses that cater to adult entertainment.
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This time around the Calcasieu Parish Police Jury (CPPJ) heeded the advice of their counsel. With a court decision this week overturning the CPPJ's previous decision to not grant a liquor license to Vinton Golf & Travel LLC, owners of The Gentlemen Club in Vinton, there was only one obvious outcome at the Jury's Thursday meeting. The license was granted.
"I have looked at the permit which has been filed. It meets every requirement that we have under our ordinance," said attorney Allen Smith at the August 19th meeting of the Police Jury.
"So technically we cannot deny it," he added.
Against Smith's advise, they denied it that night. He then cautioned them that a lawsuit was likely. It was filed the following day.
On Monday, Judge Robert Wyatt ruled in favor of the club and ordered the Police Jury to grant the license at their next regular meeting.
On Thursday, the issue was brought before jurors.
"The court has ordered this body to go forward and have a permit issued," said Allen.
"It's been taken out of your hands."
He told the Police Jury in plain terms that what was at issue was the granting of a liquor permit, the same one that any restaurant may apply for, and that talk of what other activities go on inside the building had no relevance to the permit itself.
"This is nothing more and nothing less than a request to grant a liquor permit or liquor license," said Smith.
Smith advised the jurors that no discussion and no public input on the matter was needed. However, after approving the license, jurors allowed Reverend Rob Tibbits, pastor of Crossroads Baptist Church in Vinton and spokesman for the group opposing the club, time to speak.
"I understand you hands are tied," said Tibbits in regards to the license.
He thanked the Police Jury for their initial vote against the license and stated that he hopes to work with them in the future with regards to zoning issues. Tibbits has publicly spoken out against current zoning laws in regards to businesses that cater to adult entertainment.
