Letter to Editor, Rockford Register Star, May 4, 2003

While I was reading the Register Star story on the hearings concerning exotic dance clubs in Rockford, one note in the middle of the article really caught my eye.  It was reported that: "The presentation included expert testimony on the lack of any negative effects that exotic dance clubs have on neighborhoods."  I want to know, who are these experts, where are they from, and why are they called experts.

I am very sure they do not live next to one of these bars.  They do not require memberships, so let's call them what they are.  If these experts lived next to one of these bars, they would know, as I do, of several negative effects.  Several years ago, a business next to my residence, after receiving its liquor license, converted to an exotic dancer bar.  Since that time I have had to deal with beer bottles in my yard, fights, tire burn-out contests, arguments loud enough to hear every cuss word, and motorcyclists revving up their engines.  These incidents, and others, occur at all hours of the night, until 2 a.m., when Rockford law requires them to close.

So, who are these "experts"?  If you want experts, just ask any neighbor to one of these bars.  They can fill in plenty of negative effects these bars have on a neighborhood.

David McCue, Rockford