Mon, May 12 2008
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Published April 17, 2008 10:44 pm - CARTHAGE, Mo. — Jasper County shouldn’t wait to adopt additional restrictions on sexually oriented businesses, opponents of such operations told the County Commission on Thursday. Commissioners urged to adopt county rules on adult businesses By Susan Redden sredden@joplinglobe.com CARTHAGE, Mo. — Jasper County shouldn’t wait to adopt additional restrictions on sexually oriented businesses, opponents of such operations told the County Commission on Thursday. Nearly 20 local residents went to Jefferson City on Wednesday to support a bill that would strengthen state regulation of businesses such as Vegas Video, an adult-video outlet that recently opened between Joplin and Sarcoxie. They said elements of the bill could be approved as an ordinance in Jasper County, because they have withstood challenges in appellate court. The commission has been looking at an ordinance to target adult-video stores and similar operations. But the panel decided to delay action after a Jackson County ordinance on which parts of the measure were based was challenged in federal court. John Putnam, a spokesman for Citizens for a Decent Environment, spoke on behalf of the proposed law during a hearing Wednesday before the House Government Relations Committee. He said lawmakers praised the proposal, which, among other things, would restrict admission to such businesses to those 18 and older; require a setback of at least 1,000 feet from sites such as homes, parks and churches; and impose visibility requirements, including the removal of doors, for adult-video viewing booths. “But they weren’t optimistic the bill has a chance to pass this session, and they indicated that all five of those restrictions could be passed by the commission now,” Putnam said. Pete Connelly, another member of the group, predicted that the legal challenge of the Jackson County ordinance could take a year to resolve. “We urge you to pass a law that would include these restrictions that have been upheld in court,” he told the commission. The group organized when construction of the Vegas Video building started several months ago. John Bartosh, presiding commissioner, said after the meeting that he planned to talk with Scott Bergthold, a Tennessee attorney who specializes in adult-business law and has given advice to the local group. Bergthold also testified Wednesday before the House committee. Bartosh said he would prefer a law enacted on the state level. “I can’t believe they can’t get it passed in time if it’s something everyone wants,” Bartosh said. “I’m going to call other commissioners and ask them to call their representatives.” Also Thursday, the commissioners approved the county engineer’s recommendation to award parts of this year’s road-paving contract to Blevins Asphalt, APAC-Missouri and Time Striping. Based on last year’s paving volume, estimated costs are more than $3.2 million for Blevins, about $333,000 for APAC-Missouri and $56,000 for Time Striping. David Anderson, with APAC, said some local road districts use the county bids to hire contractors for their paving projects, but then are charged a higher price. Commissioners said they would look into the question. The commissioners also approved a contract for physical testing for potential workers in some departments. The board approved the purchase of two vehicles at $15,440 each, with one to be used by the assessor’s office and one by the county emergency management coordinator. 
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