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Sometimes there are things that you would just rather not get into but feel compelled for what you believe to be the betterment of the community.  No I'm not talking about Country Crossing but I am talking about an issue that could create a negative perception relative to Country Crossing.  I am talking about adult entertainment, topless dancing, bikini bars, whatever the latest nomenclature might be.  Let me explain.

I was attending the Downtown Group Annual Meeting a few weeks ago and everyone was reveling, as they should, in the tremendous progress that has been made downtown.  Whether you approve of the means or not, I think everyone would agree that there has been and continues to be significant improvement.  Less than a week later, I read in the local news and on Wiregrass Live (shameless plug) that the City has approved two new bikini clubs for downtown.  Having approved several licenses in the past that our Commission didn't necessarily believe to be in the best interest of our county, I know the City Commission really has no choice once all the legal requirements are met.  If either Commission denies a license, it is simply appealed to Circuit Court where it is granted if the applicant is meeting the law.  I really don't know why our Commissions are even involved but that is a subject for another day.  Back to bikini bars!  Most people I have spoken to agree with me that bikini bars are not one of the target businesses you want when trying to make positive improvements in your downtown area.  My recollection is that several of those already operating have had issues with the law and are they really what we need, even in the entertainment district, for downtown development?

You may be asking why I mentioned Country Crossing and what this discussion has to with the development.  It is my understanding that a topless or gentlemen's or bikini club is being contemplated for 231 South near Country Crossing.  I even heard it was going to be named something similar to Country Crossing, giving the illusion that it is related.  As those of you who have followed the development know, Country Crossing is planned to be a family entertainment complex complete with music, theatre, water park and other family oriented activities.  It is my belief that an adult entertainment facility next to or in the vicinity of Country Crossing is not what we want for that area or what we need for the image of Country Crossing.  There are naysayers out there who will try to tie the things together and blame the adult business on Country Crossing, which couldn't be farther from the truth.  They will say this is the type of business Country Crossing attracts.  I don't believe we need to let that happen.

Existing topless, bikini, gentlemen clubs both in Dothan and in unincorporated Houston County have created problems in the past for County citizens and law enforcement.  While I absolutely believe in personal rights, I also believe that sometimes we need to think about the good of the community.  As such, I will be presenting to the Houston County Commission at a future Administrative meeting proposed legislation that will prohibit further expansion of these type establishments in Houston County, including Dothan.  I just believe for the positive growth of downtowns throughout the county, for the family atmosphere we want to create down 231 South and for the overall well being of the community, we need to draw a line in the sand and stop the continued expansion.  I am not proposing to put any lawfully operating facility out of business unless they have a significant business change but am proposing no future growth.

As I stated, there are some things that you would just rather not get into ... literally.  Honestly, I don't like over regulation by governments at any level.  But I feel this is something that needs to be addressed and hope this proposed legislative, that will ultimately have to be passed by the Alabama Legislature, will be positive for our county.