Apparently the city commission is for sale- come up with the cash and you, too, can have an ordinance passed, and drag the city into an expensive first amendment lawsuit.
GRAND RAPIDS - Grand Rapids has a new city ordinance to regulate nude and topless dancing. By a vote of six to one Tuesday night the adult business ordinance was passed by the city commissioners. But their decision is already stirring more controversy. Strip club owner Mark London tells WZZM 13 he will file a lawsuit against the city in the next 30 days. It's a move the city expected and one they intend to fight with donated money.
The Black Hills Neighborhood Association raised $100,000 to pay for the lawsuit, that's why Mayor Heartwell says he pushed for the ordinance, "If it were not for that I never would have brought this ordinance before this commission we can't afford a $100,000 lawsuit."
But what if the lawsuit goes over $100,000 dollars? Who makes up the difference? City commissioner Rick Tormala is concerned, ”I tried to get that answer tonight what are you gonna do when the $100,000 runs out?" Mayor Heartwell is convinced it won't go over that amount.
The case is being handled by the same attorney who handled the Velvet Touch lawsuit several years ago. That lawsuit cost the city more than $200,000 and it's why Mayor Heartwell says the city says it won't be paying for the now impending one, "I said we are not going to pass this ordinance and defend it using taxpayer resources we've been there and we're not going there again."
But what if despite all assurances, the lawsuit does cost more? Judy Rose with the Black Hills Neighborhood Association says not to worry, "I think the donors that we've gone to would give more."
You think? But you don't know?
I would like to see a list of those donors, I would also like to see proof that the money is there. I would also like to see a signed legal paper holding these people accountable. And, if the money isn't there three years from now in the middle of the court battle, are we just going to drop it right in the middle? Isn't the city on the hook for this if the Morality Police don't come up with the money?
And this time, all the bar owners will be in on the fight, not just the Velvet Touch. These guys will be a united force with a bunch of cash to carry this all the way to the top if necessary.
Oh, and by the way- the city just slashed it's budget again, fees are going up and people are going to lose their jobs, including cops and firefighters.
Kimball wants to institute a number of new fees, from charging for false fire alarms to adding another 25 cents to what you pay for garbage bag and tag fees.
In all, 43 positions will be eliminated from the city payroll, some through attrition, some through layoffs.
Fire and police forces, the most expensive part of the budget, won't see cuts as drastic this year compared to the past.
Not "as drastic", but we will see cuts to vital services.
Resources to fight strip clubs? No problem. Cops and firefighters? Buh- bye.
This is fucked up.