Eight nightclub owners have come forward with paperwork that they say refutes Mayor Diane Delaware’s recent comments about their operations.
“We want to know why false statements are being made about us,” said Danyarn Thomas, who operates the Mickey and Bobby Lounge on W. Broadway. “We want the public to know that we have the right permits. But why say we didn’t have them? It makes it look like we don’t know what we are doing.”
Delaware said during the last city council meeting that she doesn’t understand why nightclubs remain open in Yazoo City without the proper permits.
“I am still wondering why clubs are still open in Yazoo City,” said Delaware, which ran in the July 11 edition of The Yazoo Herald.
However, eight club owners brought the city-issued permits to The Yazoo Herald in an effort to prove they have the required permits.
Those permits include:
Jr’s Bar and Lounge; 605 W. Broadway; permit issued June 7, 2018; permit expires May 31, 2019
Mickey and Bobby Lounge; 608 W. Broadway; permit issued June 5, 2018; permit expires May 31, 2019
Club Major City; 118 Swamp Alley; permit issued June 22, 2018; permit expires May 31, 2019
The Main Event Club; 417 W. Bridge St.; permit issued May 31, 2018; permit expires May 31, 2019
The Flying Eagle; 218 S. Water St.; permit issued June 5, 2018; permit expires May 31, 2019
The Mature Lounge; 606 Central Ave.; permit issued July 13, 2018 (owner said he was just opening); permit expires May 31, 2019
L & L Lounge; 203 E. Eleventh St.; permit issued May 7, 2018; permit expires May 21, 2019
Broadway Restaurant; 511 W. Broadway; permit issued June 8, 2018; permit expires May 31, 2019
Sullivan Johnson, operator of The Mature Lounge, said he believes Delaware has a “personal vendetta” against many nightclub owners.
“You know why,” he asked. “Because we didn’t vote for her during the last election. We were fine until then. It has become personal.”
Roy Harrington, with Jr’s Bar and Lounge, said the nightclub’s relationship with the city was fine during Delaware’s first run for city office.
“When she was running the first time, she came in here and put a campaign poster up,” Harrington said. “That poster sat here for almost two years. We all voted for her that first time. Then things changed once she got into office.”
The club owners said the city is hurting their with police units parking in front of their clubs before it is time to close. They also said they are losing money from hiring security that they believe isn’t necessary.
The city ordinances states that “one security officer shall be provided as required in this section when 50 or more patrons are present; and two security officers shall be provided as required in this section when 150 or more patrons are present; and one additional security officer shall be provided as required by this section for each additional 100 patrons.”
But these club owners said they do not have more than 50 people inside their clubs.
“I never have 50 people,” said Antoinette Lee, with the L & L Lounge. “Security charges about $100 so I’m throwing money away.”
Johnson said the fire marshal posted the maximum occupancy of his business as 40 people. He also provided the city-issued sign from Fire Marshal Kenneth Washington’s office.
“So, getting security doesn’t even apply to me,” Johnson said.
Thomas said nightclub owners do not want any problems inside their establishments because it would hurt business. He said the comments made during the city council meetings also hurt his business.
“We try to do everything we can to run a good business,” Thomas said. “Instead of trying to deter what little business we’ve got, why be concerned with us?”
Harrington said the only city council members who give nightclub owners an open ear are aldermen Aubry Brent Jr. and Andre Lloyd.
Harrington said he doesn’t understand the need for such a battle with a one-hour operation extension for two nights.
“All this for one hour extra for two days,” he said. “We’re going through all this when the city isn’t doing anything to bring in more jobs or do what matters. They’re worried about us. But I think it is all Delaware. She has something against us. She runs the city like a dictatorship.”
