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Strip club law may remain unenforced in Harrison Twp.

Candidate Julie Caserta, whose husband co-owns the Naughty N' Nice store, talked briefly at the Harrison Twp. Board of Trustees meeting Monday, Nov. 2, where president David Woods said the township was not enforcing a state law regulating strip clubs along as the law is being challenged in court.

Staff photo by Teesha McClam Candidate Julie Caserta, whose husband co-owns the Naughty N' Nice store, talked briefly at the Harrison Twp. Board of Trustees meeting Monday, Nov. 2, where president David Woods said the township was not enforcing a state law regulating strip clubs along as the law is being challenged in court.

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Greg Flaig, executive director of The Owner's Coalition, gives his opinion after the Harrison Twp. Board of Trustees meeting Monday, Nov. 2, about the township not enforcing a state law regulating strip clubs along as the law is being challenged in court.

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Harrison Twp. Board of Trustees president David Woods talks on Monday, Nov. 2, about the township not enforcing a state law regulating strip clubs along as the law is being challenged in court.

By Lynn Hulsey, Staff Writer Updated 1:02 AM Tuesday, November 3, 2009

HARRISON TWP., Montgomery County — Strip clubs in Harrison Twp. can continue ignoring a 2007 state law that limits physical contact with dancers and puts a midnight deadline on stripping.

On Monday, Nov. 2, Harrison Twp. Trustee President David A. Woods read a statement from trustees that they will continue their policy of non enforcement as long as the so-called "cabaret law" is being challenged in court.

The decision comes even though the Ohio Attorney General's office said that the law can be enforced.

Long controversial in the township, the strip clubs have become an issue in today's election for township trustee, with one candidate criticizing the trustee's failure to require the clubs to follow the law.

"The legislation will not close these establishments. It will only allow us to better control activity within as well as the hours of operation," said Woods. "The benefit from the legislation does not outweigh the potential risk of legal action against the township, which could easily reach hundreds of thousands of dollars, plus damages."

The announcement was hailed by Greg Flaig, executive director of The Owners' Coalition, representing strip club owners statewide. But Flaig said the group is prepared to act should the election result in a change in trustees and a policy change.

Steve Adams, the candidate who has been critical of the trustees on the issue, said the attorney general made it clear that the law can be enforced and he believes more needs to be done about the clubs.

"I would like to see some progress in that area," Adams said.

Washington and Miami townships — home to one strip club each — also do not enforce the "cabaret law" for the same reason.

Harrison Twp. has long been known for its many strip clubs and sexually-oriented shops along North Dixie Drive.

Candidate Julie Caserta's husband co-owns the Naughty N' Nice store and Georgeann Godsey works for Zeller Management, which owns the North Plaza shopping center that includes the Naughty N' Nice store and The Living Room strip club.

Flaig said owners fear the latest controversy in Harrison Twp. could lead to a crackdown on the clubs. He said owners have done a good job policing themselves and if Adams is elected "he could get people involved in trying to get these businesses shut down again."

Flaig said club owners believe Caserta would treat the clubs as legitimate businesses and not try to impose moral beliefs on them.

In an earlier interview Caserta said she would not take a stand on whether the township should enforce the law while it is being appealed. But she said it is not fair to blame a few businesses for the township's troubles.

"I don't think they are the downfall of the whole community," Caserta said. "I understand how people feel. I understand their concerns. I think they should be held to the laws."

The 2007 law, known as Senate Bill 16, limits contact with strippers and requires that no sexually-oriented entertainment occur between midnight and 6 a.m.

The law was challenged by strip club owners, who lost their effort to get an injunction.

The case is on appeal to the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals, according to Ted Hart, spokesman for Ohio Attorney General Richard Cordray.

Hart said, "the law is in effect. Yes, townships are allowed to enforce the law. Alcohol and total nudity would be allowed — up until midnight — and assuming all other provisions of the law are observed" such as no touching of dancers, Hart said.

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