Larry Lacey in the news again........

[Tim]

Larry Lacey's application for a liquor license for the "G St Palace" will be considered by the Grants Pass City Council at their next meeting, Wednesday, January 17th @ 7pm. City staff is recommending that the Council deny the request for the liquor license.

A staff report reads, "The property owner recently submitted an application for a development permit. This permit has been denied. As a result of the denial, there is no approved business location and no pending permit."

The Oregon Liquor Control Commission (OLCC) application submitted by Lacey is for a "new outlet" that will offer "limited on-premises sales" (beer and wine). Lori Magill is listed as the manager.

Lacey's application for a minor site plan review is a request for the second floor of the Palace Hotel building to be used as a pool hall, adult use (indicated as "strip club" on a floor plan), private offices and tenant space. The pool hall would occupy about 2,508 square feet, with adult use of about 470 sq. ft., private office space of about 1,090 sq. ft. and tenant space of about 230 sq. ft.

The minor site plan review was found to be not in compliance with some conformance criteria in a staff report.

According to the report, the pool hall would be allowed but only if not age restricted. The installation of non-approved windows by Lacey on the exterior of the building would also have to be approved by the Historic Buildings and Sites Commission. The Commission could require Lacey to install approved windows instead. If the Commission fails to take action or their decision is appealed, a final decision would be made by the City Council.

The report says the use of a "strip club" is denied because the adult business would be located too close to a City park. Debo Park is located nearby at the intersection of Third and G Street which is located about 670 feet from the Palace Hotel building. City code requires a 1000 foot distance.

The report notes that the building to the west of the Palace Hotel contains residences and neighbors are concerned about noise levels from a pool hall.

The report approves the uses of pool hall and private offices with conditions including approval of the Historic Buildings and Sites Commission for windows, a new ground level door and proposed signs. Other interior modifications to the inside of the building would be required to be completed within 18 months.

The uses of strip club and tenant space were denied in the staff report.

The staff report contains two letters, both in opposition. One is from Don Hendricks, owner of Don's Bike Center on G Street. Hendricks writes that he opposes a strip club and pool hall based on family values, family safety and noise abatement, vandalism and property values. Another letter is from William and Carrie Gragg who live nearby to the Palace Hotel building and are concerned about noise levels.

Location map of Palace Hotel building
Note that the section of Fifth St in front of the building is shown as privately owned

Proposed floor plan
Note the wording "strip club" used to denote an area of the business

[FaerieChild]

Tenant space?


Anyone else thinking, hourly????

[Cryptid]

Tenant space?


Anyone else thinking, hourly????

My first thought, actually,...

[Just Josephine]

I for one have bells and whistles going off all around me. Is it that he wants younger dancers? It sounds like an old speak easy to me. Kids will be bringing in their own liquor and put it in their juice drinks. It reminds me of a house where the owner lets all the kids come and hang out to do their "business."

I just have a bad feeling about this one!

[Deb]

We had a Juice Bar Strip Joint in the 'burg once.... it didn't last long.

[Ethan]

While I don't support the addition of the "strip club" down town, or even a pool hall (based on the proposed owners previous business practices), I do see a lot of generalities being tossed out.

When I was 18 I visited "Jiggles" up North. Though I was far from a regular, I visited a few times. (young dumb and full of.... well, you know) I never snuck in alcohol, broke the law in any way and actually met the Police Chiefs Niece there (the Chief of Jiggles jurisdiction, not the Grants Pass PC). I also never witnessed any illegal acts. However, I obviously can't swear nothing EVER happened. I just don't like to see generalities that can't be supported by facts. Remember that those patrons are just like every other group..... some good and some bad. Just like teenagers, firemen, downtown merchants, politicians, cops, gas attendants, ... you name it. No group is immune. We're all human.

We had a Juice Bar Strip Joint in the 'burg once.... it didn't last long.

Now on another note, I realize that the club in Roseburg may have been short lived, but the one I spoke of has been around as long as I remember, and is still going strong. It was originally 21 + and then dropped to 18 + due to issues of serving minors. So if The Palace, Strip Club portion, does open, it could be here for quite a while.

I say, rally the troops. We can fight it out LEGALLY. Just because he has allegedly broken the law (I say allegedly because I can't actually prove it, though I'm certain he has) doesn't mean we should sink to his level. If we put the effort out and stay on top of things, right will prevail. We were worried about the impact of a large casino going near our old house. (also up North) but fought it, all the while keeping our hands clean. In the end we prevailed and the proposal was sunk.

In this particular instance, I think it's at a halt do to the denial of permits. But unfortunately, I believe that can be taken to the courts for a fight.

All said and done, I oppose the entire concept in our City. I think it would be quite the I would just like to see it fought by the book and I'm not sure that's happening. OK, I'm done. Just my opinion and I'm off my mini soap box again.

Shesh, that was a long one....... sorry!

[Just Josephine]

I never snuck in alcohol, broke the law in any way I also never witnessed any illegal acts. However, I obviously can't swear nothing EVER happened.
minors. So if The Palace, Strip Club portion, does open, it could be here for quite a while.

I don't know what your background is in these matters. However from having previous law enforcement background along with working for PI's and other similar background I can assure you many of these illegal activity DO go on. Without airing certain things I am aware of it's not as clean as it looks.

[Redcloud]

It's true JJ, but then, I've also seen the same kind of activities at roofing and trucking companies, as well as numerous liquer bars, (Nora's Ghost, near the old Monmouth Academy comes to mind). The bowling alley there on Rogue River Hy. was also a hot spot.

[Kismet]

I've had several friends "go into the business". These girls ranged from high school dropouts to college graduates, and worked in all sorts of clubs - one was even a dancer at Cheetah's in Vegas. Every single one of them has said there is much illegal activity going on - in every club. It seems to just be the nature of the business. Most of the girls got out while they were still young and could turn their lives around, but 1 succumbed to drugs and prostitution. Sad....

[Gypsy]

The amount of illegal activity surrounding 99.9% of these clubs is very real.

A lot of you know from previous posts, that I've seen this for many years through a family member who owns, or is partners in, some of the biggest clubs on the west coast. He went to prison for racketeering at one time. So did his father and brother. Good lawyers, as there were more than 20 charges he was brought up on. It's a business that's been in his family for many years. He's an intriguing person but he scares the hell out of me. (By the way, Redcloud, they owned many construction/trucking companies also.)

What many of you don't realize is we have senior members of organized crime that reside in this area in retirement. We even have a few world class dancers living here in retirement who have made their money and distanced themselves from the business to have a fresh start.

Ethan: A lot of clubs are fronts for other activities. The larger clubs make some very good money from the dancers also. The relative I spoke of even has off-duty police who work security for him. It's common knowledge. They also have friends in high places, including city councils in their communities, whom they support in campaign and other fund raising efforts.

This activity is older than the hills and won't go away. I would hate to see it in downtown GP also. It always brings an element of crime, no matter where it's located.

Search back through the old archives on this forum for what I'm speaking about. There's some interesting info.

[Ethan]

I fully agree that a Strip Club belongs no where near our down town. And I guess my former post shows my ignorance, or dare I say, innocence (wow never though I would say that about me ). But It wouldn't surprise me and coming from people who have experience it, I’ll take you at your word. I just hate to see all the generalities. I've been pigeon holed many times by either age, look, etc. Being taken serious as a business owner way back when I was very young was so much harder than it should have been, and MUCH more difficult than it is now. I know first hand how hard it is to overcome stereo types and, not to sound like a broken record, generalities.

[Captain America]

I am glad that the GP City Council has decided that they don't want a strip club in their town and also will not give their endorsement to the OLCC concerning Lacey's application for a liquor license.
Too bad the "powers that be" in Josephine County government don't have the same stance. They still have the power to file a lawsuit against Lacey for the numerous violations associated with the club in Sunny Valley but they have failed to act on the information.
If you don't believe me, just call Steve Rich, County Legal Counsel. He has had the information for several months and has done nothing!!
The county commissioners know of the evidence file submitted by the county planning department and other county officials but they have failed to act on it.
Once again, my utmost appreciation to the GP City Council and to all other business owners who voiced their objection to Lacey obtaining a liquor license for his "business".
Maybe someday the good citizens of Sunny Valley will see some justice in their long fought battle. Just because it is now a "juice bar" doesn't mean that everything is on the "up and up".
The "night has a thousand eyes". The "juice bar" will be under scrutiny-the people going there will be watched to see if any wrongdoing is taking place, and if this happens, it WILL BE REPORTED to the appropriate authorities

[chuck white]

http://www.usobserver.com/archive/jan-0 ... update.htm

Update from the Observer

Great photos

[FaerieChild]

well, I'll keep him in mind in case I need any asbestos removal!

[101]

I am by no means defending Larry Lacey or any of his actions. However........."911"?? And, is

While three Oregon State Troopers were present,

the best use of our said to be very limited State Troopers?????????????

I admit to having a little trouble with this one.....

Where are the private property rights defenders that frequent this site?
In fact, where are the private property rights zealots that make up the Observer??????? Oh, yea, different ox being gored this time......