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200 flock to church, protest 'bikini bar'

By S.I. ROSENBAUM
Published May 18, 2005

TAMPA - Over 200 people showed up at Grace Bible Church in Brandon Tuesday in seeming solidarity against a bar that may, or may not, feature bikini-clad wait staff.

The meeting was organized by Terry Kemple and the Community Action Summit. Kemple is the former president of the Christian Coalition of Florida.

There have been widespread rumors that a "bikini bar" is set to open at the corner of State Road 60 and Mount Carmel Road in Valrico. The developer, Jamie Rand, has not confirmed or denied the stories about the nature of the business. The property owner, Susan Calkins, has said she could compare the proposed business to a Hooters, but could not comment on whether it would feature servers in bikinis.

The location is not zoned for adult uses, but county law allows for provocatively clothed servers, as long as the genitals are covered. The meeting proceeded like a church rally, opening with a lengthy prayer, and featuring three different preachers who railed against the possibility of a bikini bar in Brandon, and against the "concept" of adult entertainment in general.

County Commissioners Ronda Storms, Mark Sharpe and Jim Norman attended the meeting. Storms urged voters to make their voices heard, and agitate against all adult uses in Hillsborough County.

"You have the power," she said.

Kemple urged the audience to rally against all erotic businesses, and proposed putting the issue of sexually oriented businesses to a referendum vote on the next ballot.

[Last modified May 18, 2005, 00:49:11]