Altoona strip club proposal meets heavy opposition

Thursday, December 11, 2014
Jackson Schmidtke, Multi-Media Reporter, WQOW

Altoona (WQOW) - Before the stage was even set, it seems the curtain has fallen on plans to bring a strip club to Altoona.

There was a heated discussion at Thursday's city council meeting about the proposal to put a strip club in the Pete's Restaurant building formerly Whiskey's Bar.

Tom Razer was expected to present a business plan for the strip club to the council.

However, at the meeting City Administrator Mike Golat announced that he had received a phone call from Razer earlier this week who informed him he was no longer affiliated with the project and that someone else would be at the meeting.

When it came up for discussion tonight no one stepped forward.

Mayor Jack Blackburn said the fact no one showed up spoke volumes about the proposal and that it made the city council's job an easy one.

Members took some time to address the more than 50 people in the audience, all of them saying that even if someone had showed up, they would not have supported the plans.

"This would just be a step back," said David Rowe. "This is just wrong. This would be more than just a distraction it would be detrimental to the community."

After the council spoke about ten members of the public shared their thoughts with the council.

"A strip club can offer nothing to the future of this community," said Joyce Orth from Eau Claire. "In fact it will only break apart a family friendly, compassionate, and safe community where people pitch in to care for one and other."

Everyone who spoke to the council agreed saying how pleased they were with the council's opinion.

"Tonight is just further confirmation of what an awesome community this is," said Altoona resident Matt Mink. "We have two daughters that we are raising in this community and it's just awesome to see these kinds of morals."

Mike Golat said that this proposal blind sided the city and the council has decided to use this as an opportunity to strengthen the city's laws when it comes to sex related businesses.

However, just because there was strong opposition Thursday doesn't stop this proposal or another one from coming forward in the future.Though Golat said it's unlikely that the council would change its mind.

Currently Altoona has a law that prevents liquor license holders from featuring nude dancing. Razer had originally requested to meet with the city council in an attempt to amend that ordinance.

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