|
,, - , , "I PAGE 348
<br />No other persona came forth to speak in favor of .the adoption of the
<br />Ordinance entitled "AN ORDINANCE REGULATING THE EXPOSURE TO VIEW THE ROMAN BODY."
<br />Chairman Bennett requested that any persons present who wished to speak in
<br />opposition of said Ordinance would at this time be recognized.
<br />Chairman Bennett recognized James H, Johnaon, III, Attorney at Law, who was
<br />present to represent the ooeratora of the topless night club which is located
<br />in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. Mr. Johnson stated that the question at hand
<br />is whether this ordinance should be adopted, in that, the North Carolina Court _
<br />of Appeals had ruled that topless dancing was not indeacent exposure. He
<br />stated that he felt the problem of obscenity should be controlled by the General
<br />Assembly and~that the Soard of Commissioners should stay out of this particular
<br />field of law. He pointed out that if Soard of Commissioners started out to
<br />police and regulate the county in this area that there would be no logical place
<br />for the policing to stop, Mr. Johnson stated further that adequate laws are
<br />currently in effect to deal with an unruly situation if same should arise and
<br />that he could not understand why. it would be peaessary for the Board of Commissioners
<br />to adopt an ordinance against topless clubs. That the problems the ordinance
<br />would create would out weigh its good.
<br />Steve Gregoris, owner of the topless club in Chapel $ill, stated that he Palt
<br />that the proaoaed ordinance was unduly discriminatory, in that, he was the only
<br />operator of this type of club in Orange County. Mr. Gregoris stated that hie club
<br />had caused no problems and that he could not allow any problems to occur from
<br />his operation, as it could cause hie buainesa to be declared one of a public
<br />nusianae and thus he would be in violation of the existing ABC law. That ouch a
<br />problem would automatically aquae him to lose his ABC license and force him to
<br />close his business. He asked "why should he be legislated out of buaineas?"
<br />Sheriff Knight stated that when he asked the Board to consider the adoption
<br />of the ordinance he was not aware that any topless clubs had been or would be
<br />opened in the county.
<br />Commissioner Henry Walker requested Mr, Johnson to explain his statement
<br />"the problems the ordinance would create would out weigh its good".
<br />Mr, Johnaon replied "he was referring principally to the doubtful legality
<br />of such ordinance in view of the resent U. S, Supreme Court decision concerning
<br />obscenity".
<br />Sheriff KnighiT was asked what public reaction had been evidenced by the
<br />proposed ordinance, He replied there had been little comment one way or the other.
<br />Chairman Bennett inquired if anyone else wished to speak in support or in
<br />opposition to the proposed ordinance entitled "AN ORDINANCE REGULATING THE E%POSURE
<br />TO VIEW THE ROMAN B017Y". No one acme forth. Chairman aenaett then declared the
<br />public hearing adjourned.
<br />Chairman Bennett recognized Tom Hulfish, President of Paramed, and Reese
<br />Horton, Manager of Paramed. These men were present to discuss the proposed
<br />Ambulance contract. Mr, Hulfish stated that his company was able to furnish
<br />Orange County the following services: adequate liability insurance, comprehensive
<br />radio and recording systems, back up vehicles stationed in Durham County, Excellent
<br />dispatching systems, high level of patient care, documentation of services
<br />rendered, eight years exnerienae in the ambulance service and high level of services
<br />offered in other areas. Mr, Hulfish stated that the new centract inoluded all the
<br />servioes previously contracted by Orange County, however, the coat of these
<br />services for the current year would be $38,310 as oopoaed to $35,300 of the
<br />previous year, Mr, Rulfish and Mr, Horton ware questioned, thoroughly, relative
<br />to the response time and the patient care of their company. No action was taken
<br />on said matter. ,
<br />Chairman Bennett presented a letter from J. T., Gobbel, Chairman of the ABC
<br />Board. Said letter advised the Board of the profit percentage ratio which was
<br />being received from Orange County. Discussion ensued.
<br />Upon motion of Coam~issioner William C, Ray, it was moved and adopted
<br />that the Orange County Board of Commissioners go on record supporting the premise -.
<br />that the State will not receive more than fifty percent (500) of the total
<br />profits from the County~s ABC system.
<br />There being no further business to come before the Board the meeting was
<br />adjourned to meet on Tuesday, March 23, 1977., at 8 P,M, in the Commissioners Room.
<br />Harvey D, Bennett, Chairman
<br />S, M, Gattis, Acting Clerk
<br />
|