MichiganRadio

Pugh Says Emotions Cloud Strip Club Debate DETROIT, MI (Michigan Radio) - Detroit City Council President Charles Pugh says an ongoing battle over the city's strip clubs has gotten "emotional," and led to misperceptions in the community.

Pugh went door-to-door in a neighborhood on the city's east side to talk with residents about a local strip club.

He says a heated debate over the Council's efforts to develop rules for new strip clubs has been clouded by emotion. Many Pastors and some residents have objected to the Council's removal of certain draft rules, including a ban on alcohol sales in clubs.

But Pugh says it's more important to manage what goes on outside clubs than inside. He adds Council has to act on these rules, before a current moratorium on new clubs expires next month.

"I don't think a lot of people understand that this is not something that this Council just wants to do," Pugh says. "This was handed to us by the previous Council."

Pugh says the rules will require new clubs locate in heavy industrial zones, and the Council is considering adding incentives for clubs in residential neighborhoods to move there.
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