A strip bar in tiny Crofton?
Don’t count on it — the citizens of Christian County are up in arms
From, The Kentucky Citizen Digest, May/June, 2001.

Nobody expected it would happen in Crofton.  That’s what residents said when they learned that a strip club was set to open up just outside their city limits later this year.  The quiet town of 900, 12 minutes north of Hopkinsville, doesn’t even allow alcohol sales.  However, during the month of March the combined prospects of nude dancing and liquor sales seemed imminent and threatened to change this town’s character forever.

Within days of the news, the community stirred to action and contacted their magistrates and city officials to see what could be done.  Residents were surprised to hear that there were no county ordinances or statewide laws regulating strip clubs.  Concerned citizens responded by holding two prayer vigils and inviting The Family Foundation to hold a town meeting, which was subsequently held on March 22.

Local pastor, the Rev. Melvin Felts, opened his church for the town meeting because he said the proposed club represents one more vice that pulls the moral integrity of the community down.  “This is not harmless entertainment,” Felts said.  “This degrades human life.”

Resident Julie Stewart also expressed concern for the women who would be degraded in the club, as well as for the families  and children living in the area.  “I don’t want my children exposed to this.  I have to pass this way every day,” she said.

Local officials voiced similar sentiments. “It is in the best interest of the community to not have the stripbar come,” said County Magistrate Lewis Croft.

Crofton residents initiated talks with club proprietor, Jamie Wright, with hopes to discourage her plans.  Wright told the group she wanted to benefit the community by bringing in new business.  While new business does stimulate economic growth, residents bulked.  “We want business in our community, but not this kind of business,” said Paul Hooke, Crofton city councilman..

Crofton residents were pleased when lengthy negotiations between Ms. Wright, nearby residents, and local officials culminated into an agreement that keeps the strip club out.  Croft made the case that the whole community should help pitch in since everyone would benefit.  On April  3, a strategy was made where four neighboring land owners would cover the closing costs of about $7000  if residents would purchase the land.  This resulted in a Crofton community picnic held on April 21.  About 200 people attended the benefit and $2500 was raised.  Local churches also took up offerings to make up the difference.

Without regulations, observers say that Christian County as a whole is ripe for other sexually oriented businesses to move in, hoping to capitalize on the potential audience stationed at nearby Fort Campbell military base.

But as far as Crofton goes, Councilman Hooke has some advice for any strip club wanting to move in:  “Don’t try it,” he said.  “I don’t care how many millions of dollars it may bring in, it wouldn’t offset the negativity.”
 
 

Key Family Foundation Contacts: Kent Ostrander, Executive Director Martin Cothran, Senior Associate Policy Analyst