Citizens of McGee's Crossroads community can once again rest peacefully knowing the proposed gentlemen's club will not be locating in their area. The prospective owners of the club have withdrawn their application.

Pat Penny, one of the original opponents of the adult business, said 56 members of the community attended a meeting last week with the planning board and let it be known under no circumstances were they going to lay out the welcome mat.

Penny got the ball rolling by asking members of the community to write letters to the planning department expressing their disapproval of the business and to attend last Tuesday's meeting.

However, Johnston's Director of Planning Berry Gray said the county has an adult business ordinance that restricts where a business of that type may be established.

The site on Roberts Road chosen by the potential owners of the club didn't meet specifications. It is currently zoned industrial, and not for general business, said Gray.

"They definitely cannot put an adult business in that location," he said.

"This is a wonderful, peaceful community with families and children," said Kristin Harrison, a citizen of McGee's Crossroads. "That is the primary reason so many enjoy this area. We are surrounded by churches, school activities, children traveling from one sports event to another, spending time with friends at McDonald's, the country atmosphere outside of city chaos and high-rise buildings and offers peace and tranquility."

Bill Dinwiddie of the 40/42 area said, "This type of activity encourages and breeds crime in general."

Such was the case last week at an adult business in Selma when an employee allegedly attempted to shoot a co-worker during an altercation inside the business. According to reports, police say the employee pulled out a handgun and pointed it at the other employee's head and reportedly fired the gun but the bullet jammed in the chamber. She then allegedly beat the other woman in the head with the gun.

She was charged by police with felony assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill.

In a letter to the Cleveland Post, Dinwiddie cited a recent incident where five men were arrested in a prostitution sting.

"Why do they not go after the clubs and stores? Why do they not go after those who try to lure children passively. They do nothing about adults who are baiting kids with seduction. They know that if they can get them involved by entertaining them with seductive clothing, printed material for teens, PG-13 movies and open forums to discuss sexuality, they will have a much easier target later on," he stated.

"When a club like the one mentioned wants to open, they are not just looking to steal customers from other clubs like a McDonald's wanting to get Burger King customers. These people are out to get kids to see their structure."

Oftentimes where there are clubs, adult business or not, there's drinking and driving, which was of major concern to Harrison. With no hotels in the area, the patrons would have to leave down one of Johnston's well-traveled highways filled with school students and families before exiting on I-40.

Furthermore, she was concerned that the area could become a melting pot with one business, such as hotels, springing up after another.

"Although my personal opinion is totally against this, there is another deep concern," said Harrison. I have two children going to West and McGee's and with all the activities including football, band, baseball, etc., I would be fearful that this type of business structure would cause unfortunate things to happen to our children.

"It's a terrible example to give our next generation of whom us parents are trying to raise in loving, peaceful, and responsible homes."

Dinwiddie compared the likeness to the old "frog in the pot" story, which is often used to illustrate how humans have to be careful to watch slowly changing trends.

"If a child is going down the highway and sees the signs (billboard advertising) year after year, they become more accepting of the idea," he said.

"The more times you see something, the more tolerant you become."