Monroe Dispatch - No Struggle, No Progress

There is a lot of anger directed at Richwood Mayor Gerald Brown and the three alderpersons who changed their votes on an ordinance that affected nightclub operating hours within the town limits. The Monroe Dispatch spoke with the owners, who said that the sudden change from 3:30 AM to 2:00 AM is severely hurting their businesses, as they have experienced steep declines in profits, where they have had to cut back on the number of employees that work in their establishments. One owner said their employee headcount went from 14 to 4 because of the ordinance. The ordinance that passed by a 3-1-1 vote is destroying their businesses. Even with the onset of the Covid-19 shutdown, they were able to rebound and stay in business, but with the passing of an ordinance that already is having a severe impact on their revenues/profit, owners felt that they were blindsided by Brown and the board because there wasn't any notice given on any pending action affecting the change in operating hours. Owners said the hour-and-a-half difference in the old operating hours, 3:30 AM back to 2:00 AM, makes a huge difference in business. This reporter was shown past footage of one business's elaborate security system featuring dozens of cameras that covered the entire area around the club. The footage showed where the owner had to turn away hundreds of customers who came to them around 2:00 AM, with the thought that they would be open, but, as of now, the crowds and the revenue are gone. Owners said that before the time change, they did what the town of Richwood asked, such as providing security at their businesses.

The owners also said that safety was a major concern at their establishments, even though the violence that was reported in the news occurred away from their business, even if it was "in the general area" where they operated. They acknowledged the few incidents that happened but noted many other incidents where there were fights and shootings, but no business has been shut down. One business has a state-of-the-art metal detector to ensure safety and show town officials they take safety seriously. One owner said that once a patron is off their property, they are not responsible if something happens to that individual. The anger that is aimed at the town is justified, they said, because the (first) original vote should stand, as the alderpersons voted 4-1 to keep the closing at 3:30 AM. They also believed that Mayor Brown "was caught off guard" by the results of that vote. Prior to the first vote, he "explained" that the ordinance as explicitly written emphasized that businesses that "sold, kept, stored alcohol, whether served or consumed" had to close at 2:00 AM. They believe that Brown "orchestrated" the second vote saying that if any board member "was misinformed", they could change their vote. Three board members -Simeon Profit, Janet Fleming, and Leola Keys - changed their "yes" vote to keep the 3:30 AM closing time to a "yes" for the 2:00 AM closing time. Before asking board members if they wanted to change their votes, Brown had already moved to and was discussing the next item, as no board members asked to change their vote. Those who favored keeping the 3:30 AM closing time left the building.

The business owners are clearly upset/angry with the town administrators who voted for the change because they have supported the town in so many ways. They have made numerous donations to the town, as this reporter saw several plaques and awards given to a business owner for their generosity that was signed by, you guessed it, Mayor Brown. They also want to know if this is a personal matter with a businessman. Is it about money? Is the town trying to run someone out of business? More importantly, is this how the town pays them back for what they have done for the town?

They are convinced that there was "improper" voting done by the board led by Brown, and it should be overturned or discarded. The fact that the ordinance took effect one day after the vote, forcing clubs to close, was like pouring salt in an open wound. Normally, ordinances take effect 30 days from passage. Why was this one different? Club owners want answers, but all they are getting from the town hall is silence.