RSS 2.0 FeedThursday, November 3, 2011, Wantagh Seaford Citizen
Protesting the cabaret
The Citizen was on-site at the rally in Wantagh protesting Billy Dean's new location.
See photos and caption info here.
Residents continued their protest in front of Billy Dean’s construction site on a rainswept weekend, saying they would not let up until a state appeals court also denies Green 2009, owner of Billy Dean’s, a license to open a cabaret at the proposed restaurant.
“If you visit Billy Dean’s website it says he owns the number one strip club in the county,” remarked Billy Milano, brother of Kevin Milano who has spearheaded the opposition to Green 2009.
Mr. Milano added that the zoning board approved the license for a cabaret, even when Mr. Dean’s reputation is that of a strip club owner. Mr. Dean owns Billy Dean’s strip club in North Bellmore.
He said the protesters would remain vigilant and protest until the appeals court denies Green 2009 a cabaret license.
An attorney from the town board was also present at the protests. “We had our attorney there representing the supervisor and councilmembers who have voiced their disapproval of the cabaret,” said town spokesman Mike Deery.
He said the town administration was hopeful Green 2009 would be denied on appeal.
Democratic candidates for town supervisor, town council and county legislative districts were at the rally to also oppose the appeal.
In June 2010 the board approved Green 2009’s application for a cabaret
license and it began building a restaurant at 3500 Sunrise Highway.
But residents living down the street and in the vicinity took up protests against the proposed cabaret, saying it would bring in Las Vegas-style entertainment, which could include lap dancing and barely clad women.
After months of protests the town asked Green 2009 to reapply to the zoning Board of Appeals for the cabaret license and, in September, it was denied the application.
Denise Salowski, a Wantagh resident at Saturday's protest, said the neighbors have been “very concerned about the clientele that would have come in to the neighborhood,” and the type of business it would be.
Protests in North Bellmore
Protesters were also seen at Billy Dean’s club in North Bellmore last week, calling attention to last weekend’s planned protest in Wantagh.
Mr. Deery told the Citizen that Billy Dean’s has a cabaret license in North Bellmore to operate live performances by employees until 2012.
He said, however, that Green 2009 had not been displaying its public assembly license in the window, and had to go to court simply to prove it has one.
He added that the town asked the club to address specific construction issues within the basement.
He also said that over the years the town has investigated the club at night and found no nudity being displayed inside the club.
