To the editor:

The reason I researched the definition of adult entertainment was I recently read an article on the rapid growth of the adult entertainment during the pandemic, with growth trends in suburbs and negative impacts on communities such as increase in crime, decrease in property values, and business.

When I researched Bristol's & Warren’s definition, it was clear that Bristol’s language was inadequate. Bristol's current language only addresses 20% of the industry, in comparison to Warrens framework of 100%. Such omission by Bristol is either to strategically adopt an intentionally vague definition by design, permitting the remaining 80% of adult-only merchants in Bristol, or a result of legal negligence that simply overlooked the 80% risk. What is clear is that it is industry best practice for municipalities to research and align with neighboring communities for most, if not all, zoning guidance.

The baseless attack by Aaron Ley was because he, without evidence, claimed it was in response to a recent drag show. Such assumption is unequivocally false. I am also a taxpayer in Warren and attended the drag show at the Hometown Tavern this past December. Furthermore, the irony is that as a liberal Independent, I am an LGBTQ ally active in DEI progress and promoted Ley's election candidacy in 2020. The contention that arose during the meeting was a result of Ley’s uncontrollable outbursts as an attempt to nexus my proposal to a horrible and tragic mass shooting in Colorado that killed many innocent lives. Such behavior by Ley provides valuable insight to his lack of moral fortitude and how unprepared he was on the topic, electing to grandstand on false assumptions and politicize the deaths of the LGBTQ community rather take an unbiased assessment of the opportunity and lead a solution to propel the interest of taxpayers. He failed professionally, ethically, and morally.

As a taxpayer, small business owner and most importantly, a father, it is imperative that communities be engaged with its elected officials. It is our civic duty to ensure they are aligned with the community through process and procedure. Despite Ley’s awful and unsuccessful attempt by calling Channel 12 news, this is not about Ley. It is about a system in which officials would rather intimidate its own citizenry at the risk of losing public trust.

It is likely this proposal will be referred to a closed-door legal review to insulate themselves from a public vote and pursue an internal adjudication behind closed doors after political lobbying by Ley, rather than do what is best for the town and align its language with Warren, despite them fully knowing that this media attention has increased the risk of future sex merchants into our community.

Robert Botelho
Bristol