Galloway Residents Speak Out Against Gentlemen's Club at Council Meeting

Galloway Township resident Lisa Boone said she knows what's going to happen when a becomes a reality in Galloway Township.

"You know what's going to happen," she told the Galloway Council at its meeting during the public comment portion on Tuesday night, July 26. "Shame on you."

"It's not them," resident told her in defense of the council during the public comment portion. "If there was anything they could legally do about it, they would."

Boone understood that, and apologized to the council, but said she was frustrated and upset.

Everyone who spoke about the issue felt the same way.

Residents were angry about the gentlemen's club Galloway business owner Perry Stamelos intends to bring to the township, in the place currently occupied by his Vienna Inn. Stamelos made a presentation at last week's Planning Board meeting.

"We're going to get the gentlemen's club," Jezycki said. "I never thought I would see that happen, and I'm not happy about it. I'd rather see a different type of business go there. It diminishes us, and I'm not an advocate of it. It's not the reason people move here with their children."

"It's a disgrace," Boone said. "I never thought I would see the day. How will this benefit Galloway?"

The club is subject to restrictions because it is within 1,000 feet of a residential area, Galloway Planning Board Attorney Mike Fitzgerald said. Those restrictions include no nudity and no contact between the patrons and the dancers.

However, Boone doesn't believe the rules will be followed and that there will be trouble outside the club eventually. She said she had a problem with the nightclub's predecessor, the Omni, and that she wouldn't hesitate to call the police if necessary.

"Every time something happens, we can't have the police going out there," Jezycki said. "The township just hired new officers, but we don't have the power to send them out there every five minutes."

"If there is a problem there, their liquor license will be removed," Deputy Mayor Don Purdy said.

Purdy asked Stamelos during last week's Planning Board meeting if he had questioned residents as to whether this is something they'd be comfortable with having in Galloway Township. Stamelos stated that he had, and on Tuesday night, Boone denied ever being asked.

"He never spoke with any of us," Boone said. "We're all willing to sit down and to this gentleman. This (change) is a lot for us."

Stamelos' attorney Michael Daily stated that Stamelos spoke with one resident, who said he was in favor of the club on Monday afternoon.

He also stated it isn't necessary for business owners to speak with residents before bringing a proposed business into the town.

“Sexually oriented businesses” are not permissible within 1,000 feet of a residential area, but the definition for “sexually oriented business” is a business which features actual nudity or other specified lewd activities. The proposal for this business doesn’t fall under that category.

The club will feature VIP rooms and private dancing rooms, with restricted access. According to the review, the owner has indicated that activities that take place in these areas won’t violate the restrictions of the state Division of Alcoholic Beverage Control.

"We understand your concerns," Purdy said. "This is what we must abide by. It's state law. If you want to fix it, Trenton's the place we need to go."

Also at Tuesday night's meeting:

* officers were officially sworn in; and

* also introduced his new partner Titan to the council.