The SOB Ordinance Has Been Vetted......

One of the standing fears within the city government of Brookhaven has been the proliferation of strip clubs. Now that the courts have ruled that the City of Brookhaven ordinance regarding Sexually Oriented Businesses is strong and can stand on it's own, can the Pink Pony now be allowed to continue to operate in their current format without any changes? No shame in grandfathering them in as an existing business now. No political backlash. As an elected official, your future in politics depends on the decisions you made in the past. By having the proof that the ordinance will keep out future strip clubs for entering your city, you can now leave the Pony as is. Let it thrive and survive. The City could show that it is Business Friendly(tm) in a major way and support the desire of the majority of citizens within the city by allowing the Pink Pony to stay in business.

If the city wants the club to go away, then allow the club to continue to operate and send in undercover agents on a regular basis to prove that it is indeed a problem in the community. This has not been proven in the past 21 years but now that Brookhaven has it's own police force maybe their skills at uncovering unlawful acts in the community can be exposed and the club can be shut down in a legitimate way instead of a cowardly act of hiding behind an ordinance.

It is currently a niche bar. Removing nude dancing from the current format and continuing to sell alcohol to fit within the city ordinance will make it an ordinary bar. Very few ordinary bars survive these days. Very likely to close within months as the draw is the alcohol and nude dancing. Removing the alcohol while allowing pseudo nude dancing makes it a human moving art gallery or exhibit....and most art galleries do offer wine and other adult beverages. This option will also mean the club will close within months if not immediately as alcohol sales create the most profit for any bar. It is well known that the Pink Pony is one of the largest accounts for both food service companies and the alcohol distributors. There are very few other businesses around Atlanta that purchase more outside of Turner Field, the Georgia Dome, and Phillips Arena. Consider these businesses as being impacted upon this change as well.

In the current format the club stays in business as a successful entity, providing jobs inside and outside of the club, and tax revenue for the government that supports it.

With a change in format it eliminates jobs, eliminates revenue for the government that does not support it, and creates an impact upon many other businesses and individuals that help make the Pink Pony a successful business. The location of the Pink Pony is not prime real estate. A vacant property for a long period of time will create the blight that has some trembling in fear.

I know that the elected officials of Brookhaven do not like the term grandfathering, but it is the best term available to keep the club operating in the current format with no changes. Perhaps creating a non-conforming agreement like DeKalb County had that will bring in $100,000.00 a year(Or even a higher amount---Brookhaven can set a high bar for itself) in additional revenue and dedicating those funds to be spent within 1/2 mile of the Pink Pony for neighborhood improvements and park acquisitions could go a long way in making you feel better for doing the right thing.

Something to consider now that a judgment has been declared and before the appeals drag on for years and years and years.....There are options that can make this work out well for everyone. The question is: Do you want this to work out well for anyone?

Disclaimer: Bill Lowe does not live in Brookhaven and is not employed by the Pink Pony or any of the companies that manage its successful operation. I am just an individual that is pro-business and believe that successful businesses should remain in operation until the owners decide to close their own doors rather than have them forced closed through no fault of their own.