What people are saying about the city tightening regulations for strip clubs:The owner of Bowling Greens newest adult entertainment club will seek public and legal support in his battle with City Commission. Tallents owner Roy Tallent said he will sue the city to nullify a proposed adult entertainment ordinance that would force his club to close. The proposed ordinance, which passed its first reading Tuesday, would effectively put strip clubs out of business, Tallent said. Girls cant do lap dances, and they cant get tips. It would close us down. The proposed ordinance mandates bikini-style tops for dancers and orders a 6-foot gap between dancers and patrons. This is not fair, Tallent said. The girls cant get tips. You cant fly a dollar bill 6 feet. Tallent, who believes his club was unfairly singled out because of publicity when it opened last month, said it is not fair to change the rules after he has complied with all laws and has the required city permits, he said. The city has had clubs like this for years, he said. Only when I opened up do they change the rules. Commissioner Sandy Jones, a co-sponsor of the proposed ordinance, said Tallents was not being singled out because the ordinance would apply to all adult entertainment establishments. There are other places doing what he does, she said. Many in the community see this type of activity increasing with growth and wanted it stopped. We cant do that, but communities can regulate who has beverage licenses and what goes on within. City commissioners have heard only one side of the issue from his opponents, Tallent said. But he is having petitions printed that will be available at his club for supporters to sign. He also is asking supporters to attend the May 16 City Commission meeting to voice their opposition when the ordinance comes up for second reading. If public opinion doesnt sway the commission, he will begin a legal challenge, he said. I have talked to a Louisville attorney who specializes in cases like this, he said. … Even if they pass the ordinance, it wont go into effect until the legal challenges are over. Either way, well still be operating July 1 and after. If passed on second reading, the ordinance would take effect July 1. Tallent also is considering making Tallents a private club that would not be subject to the new ordinance, which only covers establishments that serve alcohol. We could have the girls dance totally nude then, and (patrons) could bring alcohol in with them, he said. City Attorney Gene Harmon said even if Tallents becomes a private club, it still would need an adult entertainment permit from the city. Under a private permit, you can have nude dancing, but there is still a no contact provision in the permit, Harmon said. As for any legal challenge, the ordinance is on solid legal ground, particularly since the Supreme Court upheld anti-nudity laws in a Erie, Pa., case in April. Corporate law doesnt change that much, although adult entertainment cases come up all the time, Harmon said. Our regulations are reasonable and Im confident they would be upheld. Tallent, who tried to sell his property before deciding to open the strip club, said the city could buy it for $400,000 below its appraised value and avoid legal fees while also putting Tallents out of business. Jones said that was not being considered. The city cant just go buy something, she said. Thats not an issue as far as the club is concerned.