MCAS opposes proposed gentleman’s club

By Amanda Jacobson
Staff Writer
Published: Thursday, November 10, 2011 5:08 PM CST
MICHIGAN CITY — The Michigan City Area Schools board unanimously supported a motion Wednesday night to oppose a zoning variance that might allow a gentleman’s club to be built not far from Coolspring Elementary School.

Assistant Superintendent Xavier Botana said school buses and families pass by U.S. 421 and Interstate 94 – the proposed site of the new business – to and from school, and it would be unfit for children to see the establishment, should it be built there.

The board’s opposition will be sent to the La Porte County Board of Zoning Appeals, which will consider the matter Tuesday. The exact address for the proposed club is 3205 N. U.S. 421.

Also at the meeting:

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• Jan Radford, MCAS director of curriculum, presented initial plans for the restructuring of the Michigan City High School course book.

Radford said the goals of the new book include the need to expand safety nets for students, improve upon existing career tech courses and realign district arts programs.

Radford proposed the high school curricula include a new required freshman course titled “Orientation to Life and Careers,” which will prepare students for college course planning, improve study skills, align high school course selection so students graduate on time and create personal learning plans for each student.

Superintendent Barbara Eason-Watkins said she feels the new course is a step in the right direction, from what she learned while having lunch with high school students last year.

• Thirty-six MCAS K-8 teachers will receive grants this year from the Michigan City Education Foundation. The grants were sponsored by the Unity Foundation and established by Mary Lou Linnen of Michigan City. The MCAS school board also announced its support of the Unity Foundation’s new vision statement.

• Board members unanimously approved a new tax anticipation warrant resolution, with which the school system could refinance its debts and save an estimated $207,000 in total expenses after one year.

OK, I guess I will get some bashing for this one, but why is this such a big deal? I get that it is "in route" to a school, but trust me when I say school kids walk around, by and through much worse then a sign on a pole (no pun intended) promoting a legal club on the way to school each day. Business is Business is Business. If someone is willing to invest in our town, why are we complaining?

Just my thoughts,
Bellah

First of it isn't actually "in town" from a technical sense. It is just outside of the City limits. Most importantly, think of the towns in the area that have these type of establishments. When I think of them, my first reaction is I want no more in common with those towns than we already have. It is not the type of image we want to project, and the type of image that City needs to portray. We can do better.

First of it isn't actually "in town" from a technical sense. It is just outside of the City limits. Most importantly, think of the towns in the area that have these type of establishments. When I think of them, my first reaction is I want no more in common with those towns than we already have. It is not the type of image we want to project, and the type of image that City needs to portray. We can do better.

Better, as in a new truck stop along the East entrance to town? (sorry about that) : - )

So, a mile or so out side of "town limits"? Any business that close would still have an financial benefit on the surrounding area (hotels, restaurants, gas stations, ect).

What image exactly does the City need to project? Who gets to decide? Do you believe that City has some untainted image and hasn't already been compared to those other towns (even though they have the "these establishments" and we don't)? Of course, a more "family" oriented business could be preferred, but again, business is business and a tax asset and income generating for our area. I guess I don't see why it is fair to deny a legal business because we just don't like the "image" it will portray.

Sex sells. Is it good, moral, or "right"? Probably not, depending on the circumstances. but if it pays for all those parks, police, fireman, schools, and resources a community uses then so be it.

Owners on the land based on county assessor office
http://beacon.schneidercorp.com/Applicatio...516351002000046

I believe that area is not serviced by sewers. I wonder if a septic system can handle the amount of people who would go to that business.

So, a mile or so out side of "town limits"? Any business that close would still have an financial benefit on the surrounding area (hotels, restaurants, gas stations, ect).

Harbor manager speaks out against proposed strip club

By Tim Moran
Staff Writer
Published: Sunday, November 13, 2011 5:07 PM CST
MICHIGAN CITY — A proposed gentleman’s club is planned by an Illinois businessman on U.S. 421 near Interstate 94, and at least one nearby business manager is not happy about it.

If the La Porte County Board of Zoning Appeals approves a variance request at its Tuesday, Nov. 15, meeting, the property at 3205 N. U.S. 421 will change hands from local owners Jack Sturken and Barbara LaGrossa to John Burys, Alsip, Ill.

Burys has indicated through the meeting’s agenda he plans to operate a “gentleman’s club” at the location once new zoning ordinances designating the area as a B3 zone take effect.

Tom Little, operations manager at nearby Harbor Chevrolet Buick GMC, opposes the request filed Oct. 26. He points out that U.S. 421 gives access to “several” educational and recreational centers in the area, including Purdue University-North Central, Patriot Park and Coolspring Elementary School.

“There are several facilities that road gives access to,” he said. “Many of those involve young kids.”

He says the Harbor dealership has “always tried to keep a clean image,” and a business like that would “put a tarnish on that.”

Vehicles parked in the Harbor parking lot also could be at risk, Little claims, because the proposed “adult cabaret,” as it is referred to in Burys’ petition, is in “baseball throwing distance.”

According to the petition, Burys and Phoenix Ventures LLC also request to be “allowed signage that will be permitted in the future B3 zones.”

But Little says having a place like that could lead to safety issues.

“The mixing of alcohol and excitement can lead to negative results,” he said. “If you look at where other similar type businesses are, we could experience more crime because of it.”

Little says at least two Harbor representatives will attend Tuesday’s meeting, which is at 6 p.m. at La Porte County Complex, to speak against the variance proposal.

Repeated attempts to reach Burys were unsuccessful.

I'm sorry, but I have to agree with Bellah.

Do you people think Lake Station is a bad town with a tarnished image? Um, well they have a strip club that's been there for a long time, and it's only a couple miles from an elemantary school.

Clubs operate at night, schools during the day. By the time those kids get out of the school, the club employees are just waking up, and when they get to work, the kids should be in bed.

As for a club hurting the image of a truck stop????? I would think that it would improve business for the truck stop.

Michigan City has a bad image of drug dealers, gang bangers, and child killers. That was created by the people who in live in the town, not the people who open businesses in the town. I think all this controversy is ridiculous. Just let the folks have the club....Geeeze

It's not like they want to open it downtown by all the shopping. Hell, half the people in town won't even know it's there. Seriously, how often do you go south of 94?

Oh, and to my knowledge (I could be wrong), Gary doesn't have a Gentleman's club, but they do have drug dealers, gang bangers, and child killers. So again, it's not the business that tarnishes the town, it's the people. And instead of worrying about a Gentleman's club on the OUTSKIRTS of town, Cityzens should be concentrating on the drugs and violence that are going on within city limits.

Thanks for being able to say what I was trying to say so clearly, Ang! The issue seems to be with this club is another one of those "not in my backyard" campaigns. This club will not nearly attract the negative attention that people try to put on it. Simply put, that if it is run on the up and up it WILL be a benefit to some of the businesses in the community, create income for certain folks, (who might very well be living of the back of us taxpayers without the job) and offer some people (not just truckers, folks!) that would maybe not stop in our "little slice of heaven", a motivation to do so and bring their cash with them!

So, the argument about the school, the parks, blah, blah, blah, being "right there", GET OVER IT PEOPLE! I work across areas in Lake, Porter and LaPorte County everyday and see more dangerous, suggestive, negative, and "unmoral" things take place right across from schools, parks, community areas, and so forth then a strip club. The basic issue here is that some people dont agree with the premise of the business, simply put. It is unfortunate, again, that if ANYONE is willing to invest in our area (city, county, whatever it may be) then we should not be fighting against them, but with them.

Glad to know I have some support, I am sure that it wont be enough, and they wonder why we cant seem to get business to come here?

my thoughts,
Bellah

I'm not trying to be the morality police at all. If people want to go to these places, have at it. For my two cents, I believe any economic benefits will be more than ate up by things like additional police officers, and people who avoid the area due to the perception of the businesses we have here painting the wrong picture about our community.

And just because there are other problems in the community, doesn't mean we should quit caring about what new comes in here. I would rather have no investment, than one that will be a net detriment to our area, and I believe this place will be exactly that. The reason we are attracting places like strip clubs instead of real professional jobs is because of the perceptions we have of ourselves. We need to believe we are better than this before anyone else will.

Dude, additional police officers? LOL ... what is it that you think goes on there? Clubs like that handle their own security and I'm having a hard time believing additional officers will be needed. By that logic, we should shut down Reilly's, right? All kinds of trouble over there. Also, why isn't anyone kicking up any fuss over the Love Boutique or whatever on 20 (next to Dino's). I believe at one time there were "dancers" there, too. Has that been the ruin of MC?

And painting the wrong picture about our community? Well, what are we, man? An industrious place? No. A place for professionals? Not so much. A place where tourists come to spend their leisure time/dollars? Well, that seems to be the hope, right? We have a casino and more bars than I care to count, so what's another one that features nude dancing? I don't know. I just don't understand the uproar here.

Seems like another perfect example of the C.A.V.E. theory.

Bing! That's the sound of a nail being hit on the head, Bellah

Businesses don't want to come here not because of what we do have already, but because when people DO want to come, the town folks are against it. I am thinking about the last 5 years or so and many opportunities come to mind that were shot down. Those opportunities went somewhere else and are successful and great for the economy in the communities where they ended up.

This is one of the things that frustrates me about Michigan City. People cry about the town yet are reluctant to let anyone in. Ya never know, the guy who owns a great big factory who is looking for a place to move it to might enjoy going to Gentleman's clubs and decide to come to City because they have one.

Exactly!!! couldn't have said it better myself, just another example of the Citizens Against Virtually Everything. Everybody gets so worked up over everything around this area, look at all the dumb excuses people were making up not to have the new truck stop, geesh people, relax!!!!

It has nothing to do with being against "everything". It has everything with trying to get some standards in this town. You want to know why strip clubs and garbage dumps want to move here? Because too many people think we deserve them. Do you think Chesterton or Valpo would have welcomed Phoenix with open arms? If we really want to emulate these towns and move forward, we can't sell ourselves out for substandard reasons.

The problem is the powers that be are failing us right now. With the employer situation in Illinois right now, we should be on the phone BEGGING companies to come to Michigan City. With the tax advantages and labor cost differences, it should be a slam dunk. We should be hitting employers the same way we hit tourists. There are plenty of ads to vacation here, but I have never seen one to move here and bring your business here.

It is because of the failing in economic development, that establishments like this one get taken seriously.

It has nothing to do with being against "everything". It has everything with trying to get some standards in this town. You want to know why strip clubs and garbage dumps want to move here? Because too many people think we deserve them. Do you think Chesterton or Valpo would have welcomed Phoenix with open arms? If we really want to emulate these towns and move forward, we can't sell ourselves out for substandard reasons.

The problem is the powers that be are failing us right now. With the employer situation in Illinois right now, we should be on the phone BEGGING companies to come to Michigan City. With the tax advantages and labor cost differences, it should be a slam dunk. We should be hitting employers the same way we hit tourists. There are plenty of ads to vacation here, but I have never seen one to move here and bring your business here.

It is because of the failing in economic development, that establishments like this one get taken seriously.

Again, past failures by administrations are not a valid reason for making more mistakes. And for the record, Meer did vote in the CBTL poll against this facility.

The reason we aren't as good as surrounding communities is because we don't believe we are that good. MCs worst enemy is its own citizens. The reason we don't have a middle class in this town is two fold. The first again is a complete failure by economic development to recruit and attracts local businesses. The second is the type of businesses we tend to accept. I was fine with the truck stop. The garbage transfer station and strip club? No thanks. If we are going to build into middle class town again, it isn't going to be on the backs of naked girls. In fact quite the opposite.

Since, as I understand it from friends of acquaintances of people I may have run into on the street once or twice, most strippers only enter the profession to pay for college, doesn't logic therefore follow that a strip club in Michigan City would increase the overall number of college educated individuals in the city, thereby increasing our potential middle class?

Harbor manager speaks out against proposed strip club

By Tim Moran
Staff Writer
Published: Sunday, November 13, 2011 5:07 PM CST
MICHIGAN CITY — A proposed gentleman’s club is planned by an Illinois businessman on U.S. 421 near Interstate 94, and at least one nearby business manager is not happy about it.

If the La Porte County Board of Zoning Appeals approves a variance request at its Tuesday, Nov. 15, meeting, the property at 3205 N. U.S. 421 will change hands from local owners Jack Sturken and Barbara LaGrossa to John Burys, Alsip, Ill.

Burys has indicated through the meeting’s agenda he plans to operate a “gentleman’s club” at the location once new zoning ordinances designating the area as a B3 zone take effect.

Tom Little, operations manager at nearby Harbor Chevrolet Buick GMC, opposes the request filed Oct. 26. He points out that U.S. 421 gives access to “several” educational and recreational centers in the area, including Purdue University-North Central, Patriot Park and Coolspring Elementary School.

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“There are several facilities that road gives access to,” he said. “Many of those involve young kids.”

He says the Harbor dealership has “always tried to keep a clean image,” and a business like that would “put a tarnish on that.”

Vehicles parked in the Harbor parking lot also could be at risk, Little claims, because the proposed “adult cabaret,” as it is referred to in Burys’ petition, is in “baseball throwing distance.”

According to the petition, Burys and Phoenix Ventures LLC also request to be “allowed signage that will be permitted in the future B3 zones.”

But Little says having a place like that could lead to safety issues.

“The mixing of alcohol and excitement can lead to negative results,” he said. “If you look at where other similar type businesses are, we could experience more crime because of it.”

Little says at least two Harbor representatives will attend Tuesday’s meeting, which is at 6 p.m. at La Porte County Complex, to speak against the variance proposal.

Repeated attempts to reach Burys were unsuccessful.

Opposition organizes in response to gentlemen's club

By Tim Moran
Staff Writer
Published: Tuesday, November 15, 2011 5:08 PM CST
LA PORTE — Tonight’s meeting of the La Porte County Board of Zoning Appeals may be a little more crowded than usual.

That’s because a petition has been circulating online entitled “Stop the proposed gentlemen’s club on (U.S.) 421 in Michigan City, IN.” The effort garnered more than 100 signatures in its first 18 hours of existence.

The petition’s opposition refers to a variance on the agenda for tonight’s La Porte BZA meeting that if approved, would allow John Burys and Phoenix Ventures, LLC to open and operate a “gentlemen’s club” at 3205 N. U.S. Highway 421 in Coolspring Township. Repeated attempts to contact Burys have been unsuccessful.

John Avila, a Michigan City dentist, is one of the names appearing on the petition against the proposed variance. Avila says the “adult cabaret” would be “a bad way to present Michigan City to visitors and passer-bys.”

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“It could encourage people to pass us by and go somewhere else,” he said.

Although Avila was not the author of the petition, which can be found on petitionbureau.org, he is the creator of a Facebook event which has invited more than 100 people to attend tonight’s BZA meeting.

“I am urging a huge turnout to demonstrate opposition to issuing the variance,” the event’s information reads.

Avila says the proposed business’ harm is not limited to diverting would-be visitors.

“It is bad socially as well,” he said. “It teaches girls to relate to males that way, and boys to objectify women.”

After creating the “event,” Avila said he has heard two “joking” responses for the variance, but “most have been against it.”

In addition to the signatures, the Michigan City Area Schools board of education has issued a letter against the measure compiled by board secretary Bill Greene.

Tom Little, operations manager for Harbor Chevrolet Buick GMC, a car dealership in close proximity to the proposed site, has also voiced his opposition.

The La Porte County BZA will meet tonight at 6 p.m. at the La Porte County Complex.

Zoning board denies variance for proposed 'gentlemen's club'

By Brianne Eichman
Staff writer
Published: Wednesday, November 16, 2011 5:08 PM CST
La PORTE — The La Porte County Board of Zoning Appeals voted unanimously to deny a variance request for a "gentleman's club" at its meeting on Tuesday, mainly due to the location and the safety of the surrounding community.

The variance request would have allowed the property at 3205 N. U.S. 421 in Michigan City to transfer from local owners Jack Sturken and Barbara LaGrossa to businessman John Burys.

Burys said he chose the location out of nearly 40 locations he researched, but the board believed the location would be injurious to the public health and safety.

The reason was that several incidents and collisions have occured at the intersection of 300 North and U.S. 421. Also, the board said they had to consider Coolspring Elementary School, Purdue University North Central, Patriot Park and Reins of Life, all of which are within fairly close proximity to the proposed location.

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Many land owners, parents of school children and business owners approached the board at the meeting with their request to deny the petition.

Some who spoke said they did not disapprove of the business except for the location, and they would ask Burys to seek another location if he wanted to have the business. Others said they disapproved of the business entirely, and they wanted to see positive businesses in the area which would help build the integrity of the community.

Also mentioned was the fact that Burys was proposing the club to be built at what many considered to be the "gateway" of Michigan City. Many people said they feared this would drive businesses away.

Dwayne Hogan, president board of zoning appeals, applauded concerned individuals who came forward to speak at the meeting and said their voices were heard.

"When we get tough issues in front of us as a family, I think the family came together as a result of what's in this room by evidence of what's here in this room this evening," said Hogan.

My sister worked in a Gentleman's club. She used the money she made to pay for school and buy things she would not otherwise have been able to afford. She met & married a wonderful man, has two beautiful children, lives in a $400K house and drives a Lexus. She was not required to have sex with men while she danced, and as a matter of fact, there were body guards to protect her from sleazy men. She danced. That was all. There was nothing dirty about what she did and she ended up becoming a very successful person.

Second site pursued for gentleman's club

By Matt Fritz
For The News-Dispatch

Published: Friday, January 13, 2012 5:08 PM CST

LA PORTE — A Chicago-based businessman trying to open a gentlemen’s club in Michigan City now hopes to get a variance for one in Springfield Township.

John Burys of Phoenix Enterprises America has filed a petition for a variance to operate a gentlemen’s club at 5906 N. U.S. 35 in Springfield Township. The petition was filed along with Richard Loniewski and Shirley St. Arnaud.

The petition will be heard and determined at a public hearing at 6 p.m. Jan. 17 in the County Complex assembly room (first floor lobby). Interested people may attend and remonstrate. Any written remonstrances may be filed prior to and up to the time of the hearing.

The La Porte County Board of Zoning Appeals unanimously voted Nov. 15 to deny Burys’ variance request for a gentleman’s club at 3205 N. U.S. 421. Board members referenced several incidents and collisions at County Road 300N and U.S. 421. Also, board members said they had to consider Coolspring Elementary School, Purdue University-North Central, Patriot Park and Reins of Life, all of which are within fairly close proximity to the location.

Later, Burys filed a complaint against La Porte County and the La Porte County Board of Zoning Appeals for denying the request.

The plaintiffs said the variance denial “purports to totally exclude adult businesses from any location in the jurisdiction.” They allege the denial went against First Amendment rights that protect expression.

“This legislation prohibits the establishment or operation of any commercial venture meeting the definition of ‘adult entertainment’ which ultimately imposes restrictions and prohibitions on First Amendment protected expression,” according to the complaint.

Burys’ attorney, David Ambers, said his client is still pursuing his federal lawsuit against the county, but since county officials told him he might get approval if he found a better location for the gentlemen’s club, he is pursuing a variance on the second property as well to cover his bases.

Where is this exactly?