Religous Leaders up in Arms - VA

[JustAskJulie]

Religious Leaders Up in Arms over Swingers Club - Feb. 12 - News-Topic

[BiloxiCouple]

Religious leaders normally get up in arms about a swing club in their area. That is their job in life. We have to understand that.

Now the club owners have to understand that they can't give those religious leader any extra ammunition to work with.

I've stated this before. You have to get a lawyer before you open and have all your permits and zoning requirements in line and approved before you open.

From the jist of the story, it sounds like the owners may not have had their permits and zoning requirements in line. We have heard of other club operators falling into this problem. Whether it is in a business district or a residential district, you still have to follow the laws.

[two4youinswva]

Here's a follow up story Julie
Follow up

And here's an editorial that's somewhat balanced, considering the area.
Editorial

Coverage from a TV station out of Charlotte, NC.
WCNC
This is in Lenoir, NC. A town of about 16,000 in western NC.

[NumbskullsX2]

There's nothing wrong with Pastor Hinman that a good blow job wouldn't fix.

The only question is, who's going to take the picture of him getting it?

[LikeMinds321]

I read the article. When I got to the part about a church across the street and two others within a block, I could have stopped reading right there.

This was a no-brainer business venture from the start.

If someone had brought this idea to my desk it would have been trash in a flash...tossed into the wastebasket.

LM

[NumbskullsX2]

My friend (an attorney) just called and said if he were advising this club, the first thing he would do is tell them to get their permits and business licenses in order. Then he would start looking into the affairs of the churches involved. Zoning, properties they own, inspections of those properties, any church busses they own, and whoever drives those busses. Criminal background checks on church leaders and elders (and their families) often turn up things they don't want revealed, like DUI's and other misdeamenors.

"Church people tend to have their fair share of arrest for solicitation and lewd conduct" he said. As a former Souther Baptist, I don't doubt that one bit.

I forgot to ask him if placing "Let's get Pastor Hinman a BJ" bumper stickers on the church busses would be legal, but I'm pretty sure that a few women standing up and flashing the congregation would not be.

(if you did the bus thing late on a Saturday night, they probably wouldn't notice it before the first services on Sunday)

[havefuninsun]

Personally, the building was probably a very stupid place to put the club, if it's that close to so many churches.

Numbskulls -- I understand the temptation of irritating folks more with bumper stickers, but I hope you were kidding about that.

Let's face it. If you live in a rural area, it's best to lay low. Don't piss off the locals, and they will have nothing to be up in arms about. This place is very different than the Vegas strip.

And you can stand and scream all you want, but you're never going to convince church leaders that swinging is nothing bad, just like you'll never find a conservative convince a liberal of their views. Ain't gonna happen.

I hated reading that the reporter found Swing Lifestyle and decided to report on that.

[Ed & Bunny]

Originally Posted by NumbskullsX2

My friend (an attorney) just called and said if he were advising this club, the first thing he would do is tell them to get their permits and business licenses in order. Then he would start looking into the affairs of the churches involved. Zoning, properties they own, inspections of those properties, any church busses they own, and whoever drives those busses. Criminal background checks on church leaders and elders (and their families) often turn up things they don't want revealed, like DUI's and other misdeamenors.

"Church people tend to have their fair share of arrest for solicitation and lewd conduct" he said. As a former Souther Baptist, I don't doubt that one bit.

I forgot to ask him if placing "Let's get Pastor Hinman a BJ" bumper stickers on the church busses would be legal, but I'm pretty sure that a few women standing up and flashing the congregation would not be.

(if you did the bus thing late on a Saturday night, they probably wouldn't notice it before the first services on Sunday)

I dont think any of this will matter. They dont have the right permits and zoning. Losing battle. What is worse is that they outright lied when setting the bussiness up. Not a good way to make friends and gain sympathy.

[sweet_tna]

I grew up not too far from that area, and I'm not surrised in the least that there's such an uproar over it. It's too close to the churches, and it's in a very conservative area to boot.

Originally Posted by NumbskullsX2

There's nothing wrong with Pastor Hinman that a good blow job wouldn't fix.

The only question is, who's going to take the picture of him getting it?

Amen, lol!

=)

[Tybee Swing]

I agree it was a poor choice to open in a neighborhood so close to three churches, and without getting all of the ducks in a row legally, first. I'm kind of surprised that Carolina Friends didn't see this coming...they're very experienced and have clubs in several locations throughout the Carolinas, very well-run and going strong for a couple of decades (we've attended The Estate in Charlotte). Lenoir sounds like a small town, and you just have to be more discreet in places like that (not next door to a church).

This is where the fundamentalists crossed the line, though...saying they don't want them in the same county, not even out in the woods: “Our concern is its proximity to Caldwell County,” Hinman said. “I wouldn't want to see this happen out in the middle of the woods. I am not naive by the presence of all this and for every home that has Internet access.”

The preacher needs to realize that this is America, land of the free, and the really free.

[WesternSwing]

Originally Posted by BiloxiCouple

I've stated this before. You have to get a lawyer before you open and have all your permits and zoning requirements in line and approved before you open.

Since the business itself isn't illegal since they are not serving alcohol and having an adult-oriented business in the same location, the utilities, zoning and fire inspection angle is how the cities get swing clubs every time.

Originally Posted by NumbskullsX2

My friend (an attorney) just called and said if he were advising this club, the first thing he would do is tell them to get their permits and business licenses in order. Then he would start looking into the affairs of the churches involved. Zoning, properties they own, inspections of those properties, any church busses they own, and whoever drives those busses. Criminal background checks on church leaders and elders (and their families) often turn up things they don't want revealed, like DUI's and other misdeamenors.

Attorneys can be bitches, but when you have a good one on your side you thank the powers that be everyday for them. This guy is underhanded and good.

[two4youinswva]

Update

[rpu3]

Officials Find Alleged Swingers Club In Violation Of Lenoir City Ordinance

As the city investigated, the fire marshal shut the building down on Thursday because of a number of fire code violations. Then the Western Carolina Friends club, which is believed to cater to adults who participate in a certain type of sexual activity, was dealt another blow when the city determined on Friday it did indeed meet the definition of an adult business, the Lenoir city manager said.

City Manager Lane Bailey said city ordinances strictly forbid adult businesses from operating near churches, so even when the building meets fire codes, the club still cannot operate there.

Here's a link to the fire code violations story, complete with death trap references.

I just wish the club owners would just check with an attorney before investing in their clubs. Why the owners don't investigation the zoning restrictions more thoroughly before building up their clubs is beyond me.

[rpu3]

The club was officially shut down on Friday due to the zoning violations, with a side of 24 fire code violations

Complete with pictures here.


May all future club owners just check the zoning reqs before leasing or buying and improving and operating!

[des1re06]

That's too bad. I knew some nice folks from there and heard they had a nice club.

"The outraged townsfolk" will always find violations if they want to shut down a place.

Owner beware.

Mrs. D