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Nancy Berwick asked the Council if J-2 (Junction) was going to be discussed. She said <br />that the Mooresville-Decatur Times advertised there would be a discussion. She asked <br />the Town Council to comment on this. <br /> Council President Tom Warthen replied he was sorry he didn't realize this was advertised <br /> in the paper. He said the election process was one of the things that made this country <br /> the greatest place to live. At the same time, the laws of this country regard the fights of <br /> those we may find most offensive. Those laws sometimes make this country the hardest <br /> place to live. The comment has been made that the Town Council needs to close this <br /> establishment but, the Town Council cannot close a business that is operating within the <br /> laws and ordinances. As a Council member he would not support any action outside the <br /> parameters of the law because he felt it could cost the Town more money in the longnm. <br /> As a concerned citizen he was embarrassed and disgusted by the activites shown in the <br /> television report. As a parent he said he would teach his children he would neither <br /> approve of or accept that kind of behavior by them. He said he shared the emotions the <br /> townspeople are voicing at this time. Councilman Mathis said he echoed the statements <br /> and personally thought the activities shown were morally irresponsible and <br /> irreprehensible and he was embarrassed for the Town of Mooresville. He motioned to <br /> have legal counsel, Tim Currens, look into ideas for an ordinance to legally prevent this <br /> from happening somewhere else in the Town. No second was forthcoming so President <br /> Warthen asked attorney Tim Currens if he could second the motion. The answer was yes. <br /> P/esident Warthen seconded the motion. The vote was 2 for the motion and 2 against <br /> Councilman Clark and Councilman Pygman opposed. <br /> Reverend Floyd asked if the community as a whole does not want the business in the <br /> community, is there anything the community can do? <br /> Town attorney Tim Currens answered the Town Council does not have authority to close <br /> businesses. The question was asked "What if the ordinance says 'including existing <br /> businesses'"? Attorney Tim Currens answered, "the Town can enforce our laws but <br /> cannot close businesses. This is a legal business and they are allowed to operate." <br /> Reverend Floyd asked about porno type businesses and how they were told to close <br /> down. Attorney Currens said he hadn't seen them closed down, but restrictions put on <br /> them. <br /> <br /> Mr. Smith asked about drinking being shown on the television report and wasn't this an <br /> illegal activity. Attorney Currens answered the report didn't show anyone inside the <br /> business drinking. He said he didn't believe the community has the authority to shut <br /> down a business - it gets back to constitutional fights, ff illegal activity or violating the <br /> law is going on then this needs to be enforced. He said our police department has not <br /> turned a blind eye on this and he understands everyone's frustration. <br /> Shirley Welker said that Councilman Mathis had made a motion to pass an Ordinance <br /> concerning this type of activity. Attorney Currens stated Ordinances cannot violate <br /> certain fights. Ms. Welker asked if she could poll the two councilmen that voted opposed <br /> and to why they voted opposed. She said she felt the conununity should be looking into <br /> <br /> measures to protect the youth of the community, that the community had an obligation to <br /> do this. She said she could not imagine a 13 year old out at 2:00 A. M. Attorney Tim <br /> Currens stated that 18 is legal age not restrictive to curfew. Ms. Welker said, "Can I ask <br /> Councilman Clark and Councilman Pygman why they don't want to protect the youth by <br /> looking into ordinances. Attorney Tim Currens replied that if they want to discuss their <br /> vote after the meeting they could, but they were not obligated to do this in a meeting. <br /> Shirley Welker said for peace of mind and confidence of the community she believes <br /> officials are to represent the people to assure them their voice is heard. Councilman <br /> Pygman answered: Has there ever been a question we didn't have the right to vote the <br /> way we feel? Ms. Welker answered she believed people vote for someone who will and <br /> asked "Why are you against looking into an Ordinance"? Councilman Pygman replied he <br /> voted that way because he wants an ordinance passed to immediately take care of this <br /> business now. He didn't want to look into laws and then nothing ever gets accomplished. <br /> Councilman Mathis stated the motion was to check on legalities of such an ordinance. <br /> <br /> <br />