Owners of two clubs in Vaiden came to the board meeting to complain about a suggested ordinance to close clubs early and expressed their unhappiness about the proposed option.
During their October meeting, the board decided to send a letter to the owner of Lucky 13 after several fights broke out at 35/55 Truck Stop.
Bernie Lyons, owner of Danny’s, said he knows his type of club is frowned upon by some, however, he doesn’t think it’s fair to punish every club for one club’s discrepancies. And, he said the fight didn’t start at the club.
Mayor Mel Hawthorne said the town is not imposing the ordinance on every club, but are writing a letter warning the owner of Lucky 13 that if things don’t change, the town will be forced to shut the club down.
Alderwoman Lesia Hemphill added that the problem did not involve Lyon’s club, but Lucky 13 which is located behind Danny’s.
Lyons added that if the town decided to close him early he would get his lawyer involved and sue for the loss of wages. Lyons also said that he doesn’t live in Mississippi, but pays the most taxes in Vaiden and if the aldermen chose to close clubs in Vaiden early, he may have to shut down and take business elsewhere.
Board Attorney Lane Greenlee said the board could send a letter telling Lucky 13 to clean up their act or they will be shut down, but if they changed the ordinance it’ll affect all of the clubs in Vaiden.
“You can’t change their hours of operation and the days that they’re open. But, you can change when they can close.”
