(From Naperville SUN)
Naperville Mayor and Liquor Commissioner A. George Pradel made no decision on the future of Show-Me’s on Thursday afternoon.
He and the rest of the liquor commission did, however, hear the concerns of residents from nearby neighborhoods of the restaurant and bar proposed for 1126 E. Ogden Ave.
Fifteen residents addressed the liquor commission, and another handful of letters from residents who could not attend were read opposing the issuance of a liquor license to the establishment.
“Must Naperville reinforce the idea that women are nothing more than sex objects?” said resident Jeanette Steiner.
Show-Me’s Girls — servers in short-shorts and tank tops — and the clientele they are likely to attract were an underlying current.
Most of the residents spoke in an effort to persuade the mayor against issuing the liquor license, but a small number simply encouraged restrictions to keep events at the restaurant and sports bar from getting out of hand.
“This is not a strip joint. It’s not a topless bar. It’s not where the patrons are all perverted and drive home drunk,” said resident Jon Burk, who advocated for restrictions against a beer garden, but otherwise welcomed the restaurant for the jobs and tax revenue it would bring.
Full Article at:
http://napervillesun.suntimes.com/news/2197792-418/liquor-restaurant-commission-pradel-residents.html
Do not forget, you need to cover one local governmental meeting this semester, and the Naperville Liquor Commission counts. Though, many of the meetings are not as interesting as this classic controversy.
How should Naperville govern, while trying to balance the Rights of Society (Naperville residents voicing their protest) v. the Right of the Individual (petitioner, who wants the permit to put their establishment on Ogden Avenue)?
What do you say? What do your parents say? Remember, in the Good Old Days not so long ago, Naperville was rated as the Best Place to Raise Children in the nation.
6 comments:
Naperville may be the best place to raise children, but such establishments shouldn't be banned just because of it. If citizens find the bar unappealing, the answer is simple. Don't visit the bar. However, not everyone in Naperville lives the life of a suburban parent. With many new developments around Naperville, plenty of young men and women have been moving in. Why can't Naperville build such an establishment if the establishment has met all the requirements by the city government and continue to be a wholesome place to raise a family?
I must agree with Anagha. Not residence in Naperville is that of a Suburban nuclear family with 2.1 kids, white picket fence, soccer mum and a 3-piece-suiter for a dad. There is a growing college and senior-citizen population in Naperville, who have different thoughts, needs and desires than that nuclear family.
Why should business have to cater to the social conservatives of Napervile, when they could simply demonstrate their discontent by not doing business with Show-me's. I personally find places like Show-me's and Hooters degrading to women, but if there is a customer base for such a service, why should they be turned down?
I think that those opposed to the bar have overreacted. Sure, the bar isn't wholesome family entertainment. But from what I gather, it's more or less a Hooters, not a strip club. So it seems a little excessive to attempt to prohibit the business from establishing itself. Families who don't want their children exposed to that material won't take them there anyway. For someone to think that there child's psychological development will be skewed just by the mere presence of a bar aimed at a more mature clientele is foolish. If the restaurant thinks it can make a profit somewhere and there is not a totally legitimate reason against it, there is no reason the city should prevent it.
Anagha is right "citizens find the bar unappealing, the answer is simple. Don't visit the bar", and i'm sure they won't. It is much more than that though. It is the reputation of Naperville that is more at stake. Places like these are not very attractive to new parents who are trying to find a place to raise their children. Attracting more people to Naperville is more important than making a little extra money off of taxes. With a healthier neighborhood the people of Naperville will be able to less distractions for their children.
Naperville is the best place to raise a family.
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