New evidences that all are not dumbed down

By: American Decency Staff

Last night in Clinton County (St. Johns, MI) – citizens came out to stand against the possibilities of a sex shop taking residence in their township. ————–Earlier in the week (Tuesday) I reported on a township meeting that took place in rural Eagle Township just off from I-96 – just west of Lansing. The township hall was packed with people calling for the township to urge the planning commission to reject the request made by a business entrepreneur for a special use permit which would allow Alex Grams to set up an "adult business." Last night (Thursday) the Clinton County Planning Commission met to make determination regarding this highly contentious matter. Every seat was filled. It was standing room only. Any thought that activism was dead was dispelled last evening. 30-40 testimonials were delivered – so well articulated, supportive of decency, community values, family, the standard of God. We even heard testimony from the Mayor of Grand Ledge which is located in an adjoining county, not in Clinton County. He testified because the location for the would-be sex shop is a main thoroughfare for people from his community. Others testifying were (in short): The President of the Grand Ledge Board of Education. She stated that the school board voted earlier in the week urging the Clinton County Board of Commissioners to deny the request for a special use permit. A teacher in the Grand Ledge Public Schools Concerned that Grand Ledge's buses transporting children have to be exposed to the signs and evidences of immorality as the buses would pass by that location and have to stop at nearby stop signs and traffic lights and be exposed to signs promoting perversion. One after another: a truck driver, a doctor whose office is nearby who has treated many hurting people who have been damaged by pornography, a former sheriff deputy citing the criminality associated with a similar "adult" business within 20 minutes of this location, a middle-aged woman whose family owns a centennial farm nearby that had received accolades and recognition by the governor of Michigan in recent months for its historicity and beauty. All this splendor and innocence of the surrounding rural area would be degraded by the inclusion of an unwanted, unwelcome outsider who wants to profit from the vulnerabilities of confused souls. Testimony was also received by a Catholic Priest and a Divisional Superintendent of the Nazarene Church which has a building nearby where prayer, teaching, worship take place throughout the week. Throughout many years, now, of attending such hearings at the state capitol and throughout the state, never have I seen nor heard such agreement and understanding of the negativity that surrounds pornography and adult business establishments. So what was the outcome? The meeting lasted two and one half hours. At the conclusion, the Planning Commission, after a short discussion, decided to table the decision which would allow the commission to wade through the testimony, and the specifics of the ordinance as to whether they were beholden to recommend or deny the special use permit to the applicant. ============================== Closing thoughts. As you can tell, I was overwhelmed by the strength of concern, the convictions, the level of caring and energy that were on display last night at the Clinton County Courthouse in St. Johns, Michigan as the people from Eagle Township came to stand up for what was right, honoring, decent. Yet, I also came away with this question. Does it take having your own corner of the world being threatened before people are willing to stand up and be counted? May this serve as a warning to have your own backyard in order. Are you living in a location like this? Does your township have an up-to-date ordinance designed to meet the challenge? Action: The expert in the country in this regard is Scott D. Bergthold, P.L.L.C. 8052 Standifer Gap Rd. Suite C Chattanooga, TN 37421 423.899.3025 Office 423.899.3029 Fax 423.802.9459 Cell email: sbergthold@adultbusinesslaw.comd http://www.adultbusinesslaw.com/ ================================ In a similar vein, please help us keep "beating the drum" for Truth and decency: https://americandecency.org/folder.php?f=donate Bill Johnson, president ———- American Decency Association Bill Johnson, President P.O. Box 202 Fremont, MI 49412 ph:231-924-4050 fax:231-924-1966 www.americandecency.org

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