County panel seeks control over rural area entertainment

Amid complaints about a nightclub that employs topless dancers, Penobscot County leaders took steps Tuesday to tighten their control of entertainment establishments in unorganized territories.

The grievances against La Casa de Fiesta in Dolby — the locale is officially listed as Township A, Range 7 — are just one reason for the county commissioners’ decision to pursue an ordinance. The wider issue is the county’s authority to control activities in unorganized territories countywide.

Joking liberally about the nature of the featured entertainment at the club, the commissioners scheduled a public hearing for Tuesday, Aug. 28, during their regular weekly meeting. The hearing will start the process toward passing an ordinance that would allow the panel to issue special permits for businesses that are state-licensed to sell liquor and that cater in music, dancing or entertainment.

“Virtually everyone who lives in that area” has complained about the club, County Clerk Kathy Walker said during the meeting. After the meeting, she said that the Sheriff’s Department and the District Attorney’s Office had received complaints, frequently focusing on morality.

The proprietor, Carolyn Proctor, supports such an ordinance. In fact, she said Tuesday when told of the commissioners’ action, “I brought it to their attention.”

She called Walker several months ago about that very matter when state liquor inspectors told her she needed a locally issued special-amusement permit. There is now no such provision.

Proctor rejected the complaints, saying that the women, who perform under a six-day contract, are fired if they date customers.

“This isn’t a moral issue,” said Proctor. “This is just the fact that I’m trying to make a living.”

Also on Tuesday, the commissioners:

Approved an extra 5 percent pay raise, effective Aug. 19, for the two lieutenants in the Sheriff’s Department. That is added to a like increase they and other county management personnel received in January.

Reversed an earlier decision to accept a bid on a rug-cleaning machine to replace a malfunctioning one in favor of waiting to determine what is wrong with the existing machine.

Accepted a proposal from Aetna insurance company to provide a deferred-compensation program with certain county employees to contribute up to $7,500 of their pre-tax wages to more than one investment option. The commissioners had solicited the proposals as part of the negotiated package for the union representing sergeants in the Sheriff’s Department, but will offer it to all management employees. The Aetna plan was favored over another proposal because its fees were lower and Aetna would manage the program.