Havana Herald

By Sandi Beare
Herald Correspondent

Midway city council members voted last Thursday to hear an amendment to a city ordinance regulating sexually-oriented businesses and adult entertainment facilities that will allow an applicant to be able to sell alcohol in a proposed establishment.
Brian Boulware of Tallahassee asked the council to approve the change so he could place such a facility in the city’s 10/90 Industrial Park.
“We want to be part of the community. We will have safety and standards,” said Boulware in his remarks, adding that similar activities are already happening unregulated in Midway’s hotels.
“Our revenue factor will help Midway’s police department. We want to donate $30,000 each year for about two years,” Boulware said.
In his previous business, an Internet café, he donated about $70,000 to charity, he told the board.
Current state statutes say it’s against the law to bare all and no touching or straddling is allowed, just viewing, Boulware said. He’ll hire off-duty Midway police officers from 5:30 p.m. to 2:00 a.m. on Thursday through Saturday nights, he said.
Mayor Jerrod Holton told the board that from a legal standpoint, the city really doesn’t have a choice to allow the facility except for the alcohol component.
“I do see the cons – the crime rate might increase, (but) people pay big money for this type of business,” said Holton.
The board approved sending the issue forward for first reading at the regular July meeting.