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Saturday, April 19, 2008

St. Paul torn over rules for 24-hour fitness clubs

Please click onto the COMMENTS for the story.

94 Comments:

Blogger Bob said...

St. Paul torn over rules for 24-hour fitness clubs
By Dave Orrick
dorrick@pioneerpress.com
Article Last Updated: 04/19/2008 07:37:48 AM CDT


Anytime Fitness, such as this location in Mendota Heights, offer 24-hour availability in most locations nationwide. (JOHN DOMAN / Pioneer Press)In the midst of a popular national trend of no-frills, 24-hour fitness clubs, St. Paul has found itself standing still on the treadmill, torn between stepping on or getting off.

On Friday, the city won a court victory in its crackdown on the clubs as security and health risks because they don't have trained medical workers on-site constantly.

At the same time, a local entrepreneur trying to open several new such fitness centers has been winning over key allies as he tries to get the city to change its laws, which appear to be among the strictest in the nation. On his side now are the St. Paul Area Chamber of Commerce and Mayor Chris Coleman, who has directed the city's Department of Safety and Inspection to draft amendments to the existing ordinance.

"We're having an internal debate here," acknowledged Bob Kessler, who heads the department. It was Kessler's inspectors who found themselves in a court battle after they tried to issue a $500 fine against two Anytime Fitness locations — one near White Bear and Suburban avenues on the East Side and the other on West Seventh Street in Highland Park.

The inspectors said they were enforcing an ordinance — which stems from 1980s sex-club crackdowns — requiring fitness clubs to have a CPR-trained person "on duty" at all times. The clubs said their policy of having someone reachable, via the panic buttons and other similar hotlines scattered through the low-cost clubs, fit the definition of "on
duty." The city said "on duty" meant on the premises.

On Friday, Minnesota Administrative Law Judge Beverly Jones Heydinger sided with the city.

Mark Daly, spokesman for Anytime, said he was "disappointed" in the judge's recommendation. "It's our hope the City Council will work with us," he said, adding that he lauded the mayor's support. "What we're trying to do is provide convenient and affordable fitness options for as many people as possible. Our clubs are extremely safe."

Anytime and rival Snap Fitness, based in Chanhassen, are riding a national wave of low-cost fitness clubs that allow members to show up anytime by swiping a card. Anytime has 101 locations open in Minnesota and Snap has 133, including seven in Minneapolis.
But none in St. Paul. Ben Cowan, who bought the rights to open three St. Paul clubs, said there's nothing in Snap's franchise requirements prohibiting them from staffing the clubs 24-7, as the city's current code demands. "But the economics don't work," he said. "It would be pretty much break even."

The City Council will have the final say on whether to issue the fine, but Coleman hopes they scrap the requirements altogether.

"We're like the only city anywhere that doesn't allow these things," he said. "It can't be OK everywhere else and be somehow more risky in St. Paul."

But City Council Member Dave Thune, who in the 1980s helped lead the campaign to shut down massage parlors and bath houses that were fronts for prostitution, said the 24-hour on-duty requirement is key to keeping tawdry activities away.

"Let him try to get four votes," Thune said. "If they want to fight on this thing, I will get neighborhood groups and district councils who have suffered at the hands of adult bookstores to fight back."

9:09 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Bring back the Faust theater !

9:38 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Alright Bob !!!

We still have adult book stores and
Shinders is one of them.

I know the Shinders downtown St.Paul moved, was that a forced move ?

10:12 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Didnt city politicians frequent the Payne Releiver during their lunch and for cocktails ?

10:14 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

10:14, they frequented BELMONTS too.

10:16 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I used to know this chick who did peep shows (very well) !

Wow !!

10:20 AM  
Blogger Bob said...

You can hardly compare Shinders to the Faust 10:12. The Faust was strictly an adult establishment.

It is my opinion if someone wanted a tool for sexual arousement and could find a legal product at a LEGAL establishment the city had no business interfering.

10:23 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I miss the quarter movies at the Faust.

10:24 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Bob, Shinders have a closed off area of the store with explicit adult video and magazines.

I see nothing wrong with a 24
hour fitness
club.

10:40 AM  
Blogger Bob said...

What is your point 10:40?

FACT, the Faust was a political stepping stone for Thune.

Belmonts and other strip joints were also used as political stepping stones for local politicians. At the expense of our personal freedoms.

These freedom haters pick on businesses they find easy to demonize, like gun shops, strip joints, adult book stores, bars, and now the corner grocery and landlords.

They point to these business and profess they are responsible for all our social ills. They claim if we get rid of them Saint Paul will be a better place. The fact is nothing has changed. Show me the crime statistics we live in a better city for all these politicians freedom hating ways..

10:57 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

But Bob....something has changed! For every new cause and person to demonize that these politicinas come up with, the quality of life gets worse in the city. Look back to the days of the Faust and ask yourself if you'd rather have the city the way it is today, 5 years ago or back in the Faust days. Life was better back then.

11:13 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

No real point other than to let you know what was in there and that like the faust and belmont, we had good ol american tradition.

11:13 AM  
Blogger Sharon4Anderson said...

Comments: 17Apr08 Sat Published at www.twincities.com reposted here;

http://www.topix.net/forum/source/twincities-pioneer-press/TQMHNNM1KTMUDLMA1/p4#lastPost

Thune: RICO violations, THEREFORE, your equally guilty in the "patterened enterprise" of "takings" Private Property for HRA tax exempt development, etc.198x"Mistress Sauna ie: Diane Fennell who became a Relator and sold City Attorney at that time Ed Starr Home??, at all times acting with lawyer Earl Gray
v.Ferris Alexander ie: Book Store
http://www.law.cornell.edu/supct/html/91-1526...
Read the 1st Amend. case:SUPREME COURT OF THE UNITED STATES
No. 91-1526

FERRIS J. ALEXANDER, Sr., PETITIONER v. UNITED STATES
on writ of certiorari to the united states court of appeals for the eighth circuit
[June 28, 1993]
The federal Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO) statute was passed to eradicate theinfiltration of legitimate business by organized crime. Pub. L. 91-452, Title IX, 84 Stat. 941, as amended, 18 U.S.C.§§ 1961-1968 (1988 ed. and Supp. III).

Further the DSI Cash Cow St. Paul's Tax Toilet, now Vacant Bldgs $500 yrly 1,706 times 500,plus the City is illegally taking over REMOLDING,
Item 24-25 City Agenda 23Apr08
Techinally a vacant bldg should not be taxed, "taking" our Homesteads, under the guise of DSI Code violations, without "Just compensation"

Check Wed.23rd Agenda Items 25,26,
http://stpaul.granicus.com/AgendaViewer.php...

copy and paste the URL
25. First Reading - 08-437 - An ordinance amending Chapter 33 of the Saint Paul Legislative Code to create a process for vacant building total remodel and increasing vacant building fees.(GS 3048860)

26. First Reading - 08-438 - An ordinance amending Chapter 43 of the Saint Paul Legislative Code to set the vacant building registration fee to $500.00 per year.(GS 3050633)

Thune has failed for years to answer valid Realestate Claims

http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Image:Thune...
9:34 AM
If the URLs is tampered with then go to http://www.angelfire.com/planet/andersonadvocates/PDFedem2006/file4.pdf

http://rrinfo.co.ramsey.mn.us/public/characteristic/TaxValueStmt.asp?pin=062822320046

Thunes tax statement at 26Irvine Pk
check the assessments?
pic's takn from Watchman

http://sharon4council.blogspot.com/2007/03/watchman-pics-thunes-house-copyright.html
Please take notice Thune's campaign manager andrew Hine, Repke are involved in www.e-democracy.org,another non-profit, heavily involved in city politics, contrary to Title 26 501(c)3,screwing, whitelisting,greylisting, etc.

12:05 PM  
Blogger Nancy Lazaryan said...

This comment has been removed by the author.

2:16 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Thank you for the confusion Sharon. If you ever post something I can understand I am sure this blog will remain frozen in time.

2:34 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Comments

Showing posts 1 - 20 of 111 « prev | next » Go to last post | Jump to page: 1 2 3 4 5 6 Mark
Saint Paul, MN Reply »
|Report Abuse |#2 18 hrs ago
What isn't banned in St Paul?
Jay B
Saint Paul, MN Reply »
|Report Abuse |#3 18 hrs ago
Dave Thune is a complete idiot. What do the sex shops and massage parlors of the '80s have to do with fitness clubs? Does he actually think they're going to turn into brothels? This doesn't seem to be a problem in other metropolitan areas.

Mark, to answer your question, I think allow you to complain loudly and wage war against the big bad franchises/corporations that they claim will ruin the charm of their beloved city. It's kind of like a sport. Oh, and you're still allowed to hug a tree, just don't hug too hard or you might be accused of trying to knock it down.
Jo Heinz
Saint Louis, MO Reply »
|Report Abuse |#4 18 hrs ago
I applaud Dave Thune and any of his cronies for their enthusiastic and selfless work in protecting the health and well-being of St. Paul residents! Obviously it is NOT safe for anyone to be alone in these centers let alone walking down the streets of St. Paul! Most of my fellow St. Paul residents have confirmed this fact for some time now.
Parnelli Jones
Minneapolis, MN Reply »
|Report Abuse |#5 18 hrs ago
Thune evidently has experience in massage parlors and sex shops, or at least gives that impression if he knows so much about them. What about that Dave?
He is insulting and degrading those individuals who want to work out, keep some degree of physical and mental health. The hours these facilities are open are conduscive to those who work staggered or odd shifts.
The only one crazier, more socialistic and Marxist than Dave Thune are those who vote for this buffoon who is an embarassment to the City of St. Paul and its citizens.
Parnelli Jones
Minneapolis, MN Reply »
|Report Abuse |#6 18 hrs ago
Mark wrote:
What isn't banned in St Paul?
Taxes, taxes and more taxes.
Stay Tuned
Saint Paul, MN Reply »
|Report Abuse |#8 18 hrs ago
Mark wrote:
What isn't banned in St Paul?
Smelly protesters...terrorists who write cookbooks, socialists in city hall, ilegal aliens...
Brian S
Shawnee Mission, KS Reply »
|Report Abuse |#9 18 hrs ago
Give me a break Thune.
Just Sayin
Saint Paul, MN Reply »
|Report Abuse |#10 18 hrs ago
Mr Thune: If you're so concerned about the lack of staff being physically in the building, then you better back up your words by also banning bank ATMs, outdoor vending machines, drive up payphones, and gas stations with pay at the pump credit card machines.
Lisa Larson
Hudson, WI Reply »
|Report Abuse |#11 18 hrs ago
This is ridiculous! This is the fitness club I belong to and I want to be able to go to it when I want, if I finish work late I can still go to the gym.

What the city is effectively doing is closing my club for the times it is meant to be open specifically.I want my club to stay open! The clubs in Maplewood don't have this silly restriction.How often do people need medical attention at the gym on the whole? The paramedics are about a block away, you could yell out the door, for petes sake!
Lisa Larson
Hudson, WI Reply »
|Report Abuse |#12 18 hrs ago
Jo Heinz wrote:
I applaud Dave Thune and any of his cronies for their enthusiastic and selfless work in protecting the health and well-being of St. Paul residents! Obviously it is NOT safe for anyone to be alone in these centers let alone walking down the streets of St. Paul! Most of my fellow St. Paul residents have confirmed this fact for some time now.
Jo, thats silly! It's got an amazing security system and the only people who can get in are members. you need a card, there are cameras, alarms. It doesn't scare me to go there even in the early morning when I work a late shift.Why shouldn't I be able to get what I am paying for?
Stay Tuned
Saint Paul, MN Reply »
|Report Abuse |#13 18 hrs ago
"...The City Council will have the final say on whether to issue the fine, but Coleman hopes they scrap the requirements altogether.

"We're like the only city anywhere that doesn't allow these things," he said. "It can't be OK everywhere else and be somehow more risky in St. Paul." ..."

Like don't you just like love a mayor who speaks like a valley girl?
Observer
Saint Paul, MN Reply »
|Report Abuse |#14 17 hrs ago
Dave Thune is comparing 2nd/3rd shift folks who don't want to get fat with pedophiles and perverts. But his "neighboorhood groups" will come to his support?
Can those who would still consider voting for Dave Thune in the next election please report to the psychiatrist for evaluation.
mrs sam smith Reply »
|Report Abuse |#16 17 hrs ago
well... can't thank you enough for all your time, dave....
bill majors
Stacy, MN Reply »
|Report Abuse |#17 17 hrs ago
Thune is a communist. If the idiots in St Paul kep electing him, then they deserve his brain-less actions
Ryan - St Paul
Saint Paul, MN Reply »
|Report Abuse |#18 17 hrs ago
If it's illegal to exercise inside a secured building what time does the curfew start on joggers/bikers in the city?

People who get up and run/bike are a menace to society!!! I'm so glad we have people in St Paul who can make decisions for us about when its safe to exercise. GIVE ME A BREAK!!! It's a shame to issue fines for such trivial things. We have much bigger issues in St Paul to address.

Last time I checked we have paramedics, doctors, pharmacists, nurses, police and firefighters that all work 24 hours.
Dave Dave Dave Reply »
|Report Abuse |#19 17 hrs ago
Come on Dave......Who are you pandering to on this one?
Did the girls on the Mayor's office get to you on this?
You got your pension out of the city now you can lay off and ride this out and next election, let a real person look out of the citizenry.
Where My 40 Acre At
Saint Paul, MN Reply »
|Report Abuse |#20 17 hrs ago
Saint Paul has better things to worry about. How about targeting the thugs that pose these safety threats. We spend money to keep a curfew center open for unfit parents, but we try to shut down a place for people who are paying to be fit?
darkknight9
Hudson, WI Reply »
|Report Abuse |#21 17 hrs ago
I've never seen a picture of Thune... does he have a weight problem? Or a problem with people with weight?
Old White Guy
Tucson, AZ Reply »
|Report Abuse |#22 16 hrs ago
IDGAMFUTT
eastsider
Saint Paul, MN Reply »
|Report Abuse |#23 16 hrs ago
Isnt this the same dave the hippocrit thune who has a run down property.people better start realizing why all the businesses are leaving st paul.this guy is a idiot.go drive around downtown after 8pm its a ghost town.but dont worry he just keep raising our property taxes and everything will be all right.

Showing posts 1 - 20 of 111 « prev | next » Go to last post | Jump to page: 1 2 3 4 5 6

3:05 PM  
Blogger Nancy Lazaryan said...

This comment has been removed by the author.

3:14 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Sharon is a Forensic analyst
Nothing is confusing if you know the law, The Legislature has the Statutes MS, they do not have MSA
the Annotated, further the City Council to be informed must have laptop computers in front of them to expidite "Ordinances"

http://forum.w4sp.com/

3:26 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

http://www.law.cornell.edu/supct/search/index.html?query=Near%20v.%20Minnesota
TECHINALL THE CITY OF STPAUL BY INTERNET FALSE PUBLICATIONS CURRENTLY IS GUILTY OF BEING A NUSIANCE.
Correct URL Near v. Minnesota (No. 91)
179 Minn. 40; 228 N.W. 326, reversed.

283 U.S. 697

Near v. Minnesota
APPEAL FROM THE SUPREME COURT OF MINNESOTA

No. 91 Argued: January 30, 1931 --- Decided: June 1, 1931

MR. CHIEF JUSTICE HUGHES delivered the opinion of the Court.

Chapter 285 of the Session Laws of Minnesota for the year 1925 [n1] provides for the abatement, as a public nuisance, of a "malicious, scandalous and defamatory newspaper, [p702] magazine or other periodical." Section one of the Act is as follows:

Section 1. Any person who, as an individual, or as a member or employee of a firm, or association or organization, or as an officer, director, member or employee of a corporation, shall be engaged in the business of regularly or customarily producing, publishing or circulating, having in possession, selling or giving away

(a) an obscene, lewd and lascivious newspaper, magazine, or other periodical, or

(b) a malicious, scandalous and defamatory newspaper, magazine or other periodical,

is guilty of a nuisance, and all persons guilty of such nuisance may be enjoined, as hereinafter provided.

3:40 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

4:30 PM  
Blogger Bob said...

Please do not threaten anyone here

5:04 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Bob please remove Sharon from here. It's been such a pleasure to read without the distraction of Her nad Dahn. Take Nancy L out to is she's going to start this BS again about sticking up for Sharon.

9:39 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Ricomen,

See State vs. Hyland 431 N.W.2d 868,872.

See Mn.Ct. of Appeals C4-00-1463.

11:23 PM  
Blogger Bob said...

Please if you don't like Sharon's post ignore it. She doesn't post very often and why get into weeks of a null at the blog because folks get sick of the in-fighting.

I have seen some really mean spirited, retarded post here and nobody ask me to delete those.

Sharon's name is not at the top of this blog. Anything she says is not a reflection on this forum. It is only a reflection on her because she has the courage to use her name.

Read twincities.com. It has become a very popular site in a short time. Some of the comments there make this blog look like a University of higher learning.

11:27 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

11:23, is this case Ronald Hyland, formly of Capitol City Airline Service?

11:29 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

OK Bob, I will way in to take my fair share of abuse. Thune never had any problems with places like Schinders or any place that sells adult materials for your home enjoyment.

What Thune and others like myself had problems with the Faust was the gentleman that chose to actively participate in sexual acts in these locations. They would go F'ing crazy when a group of us protester would walk in and look around the place. Their issue is of course that the sexual acts that occur were suposed to be secret so these good gentleman that would come in on their lunch hour to blow somebody would be very disturbed if an organized group walked through the place.

As to it enhancing Thune's political career, first it started about 15 years before he got elected and before he ever won a seat in the council Thune was personally sued by one of these slime balls that owned a sex shop on West Seventh Street.

Remember Raquel's Rapp and the Playboy Club on West Seventh Street? Both of these would have fit as "private health clubs" that is where the ordinance came from.

JMONTOMEPPOF

Chuck Repke

11:43 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

It's an obscure law that is being dug up and used to harrass business because that's the only way ths city council knows how to exhibit any leadership is by bullying people so they look good to the voters. It's a bad law in this present context and shouldn't be being used. But what the hell, the Lantry gang sticks up ofr its own right or wrong. Right Kathy?

12:04 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

What about the cosmopolitan Chuck ?

12:18 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

The city is caught up on crisis management because they are not competant to do strategic management. That is why they are investing SO MUCH in police and other reactionary things. Limiting fitness clubs fits this inept pattern.

9:11 AM  
Blogger Bob said...

I edited Ron Hylands address and reposted this post.

I know Ron Hyland, and haven't seen him in years. I had heard something about a law suit. Ron and I use to work for Bill Brennan of Capitol City Airline service.

Ron Hyland

http://www.oah.state.mn.us/aljBase/30012 TRB-88-081-AK

6-3001-2512-2
STATE OF MINNESOTA

OFFICE OF ADMINISTRATIVE HEARINGS



FOR THE MINNESOTA TRANSPORTATION REGULATION BOARD

In the Matter of the Reconsideration

of the Temporary Authority Issued on

June 8, 1988, to Ronald Hyland and

Gail Hyland, d/b/a G & R Transportation,

*** ****** Street, St. Paul, FINDINGS OF FACT,

Minnesota 55117, Authorizing Petitioner CONCLUSIONS,

to Transport Passengers and Their RECOMMENDED ORDER

Baggage Between the Minneapolis-St. Paul AND MEMORANDUM

International Airport on the One Hand,

and on the Other, Hotels and Motels

in Ramsey and Washington Counties and

South St. Paul, Minnesota.
512.88.htm

9:21 AM  
Blogger Bob said...

Chuck, I can not recall once before the early 80's where a politician went after a business on morality issues for political gain. I'm not saying it didn't happen.

If I had owned the Faust I wouldn't of wanted the likes of a hostile group like your protesters coming in either. You and your group were outside the place chasing away customers.

My guess is there were some people who would of taken joy in seeing all of you run down by an out of control car or beat up. ALL OF "YOU" WERE TAKING FOOD OUT OF THE MOUTHS OF FAMILIES. Everyone has to earn a living.

Search out and destroy a legal business all in the name of a politicians political career.

Chuck, we should close Lily-dale & Crosby Park. The things these nature boys are doing in public is disgusting.

I caught to homos sucking each other off near the boat landing over at Lilydale park. I gave them a piece of my mind. If my grandson had been with me my level of hostility would of been way up there! I think I would have had to send the child to the car when I had my say.

Also, I think heterosexual sex has been taking place in parks for years. I am not aware of a park being closed for this reason.

As caretakers of our city, city hall isn't doing a very good job of keeping these perverted public acts from the curious eyes of our youth and park patrons.

We never did get that outhouse at the boat landing in Lilydale either. Folks are still crapping and pissing on the ground.

9:37 AM  
Blogger Nancy Lazaryan said...

This comment has been removed by the author.

10:16 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Theres a difference between private property / private residence / and place of buisness.
Which one are you talking about Nancy when you speak of the Faust ?

10:36 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Nancy I know you said private property, but Faust was running a buisness.

Was it a private buisness for private customers or was it private property and no tresspassing except for buisness purposes and sexual wants ?

10:39 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Wasnt the Cosmopolitan forced to sell because the Operator was a madam ?

10:42 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Does anyone find it strange that the Police made the Belmont their West District Precinct ?

10:47 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Wally Montpetit use to entertain the Mayor and City Council on his yacht.

10:50 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Wally M. was the owner of Belmonts for those of you who don't know.

10:53 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

prostitution is as old as man kind. when the city closed down these massage parlours the sex acts moved to our streets in public view.

get rid of the nest get rid of the critter mentality does not work. it only spreads crime around.

11:15 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Thats why the gay ninetys gets to stay open, right Eric and Thune ?

11:17 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Nancy and Bob, I have no interest in restricting your rights to free trade and if you want to make the kind of things that you two were doing back then legal, go for it.

All I am saying is that those of us who were standing in front of your personal "work out space" were discouraging customer simply by seeing their faces. Your patrons didn't want anyone to know what they were doing inside there. Nobody ever yelled at a customer or even said a word to a customer that was entering the Faust. Just being there had the desired effect.

The difference from what one does at home and what one does in public is huge. It does not surprise me that "property rights advocates" would argue that they have the right to destroy my property values by allowing prostitution on their property.

Bob you have hit the nail on the head you and Nancy and your ilk don't give a damn about anyone but yourselves and believe that the government does not have a right to protect others from your behavior.

JMONTOMEPPOF

Chuck Repke

12:20 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

1. Gay Nineties, a nightclub, is in Minneapolis where you also have many bookstores and strip clubs. The 90's is bar like other bars on N First Ave.

2. Gay 90s is not a gay bar anymore and has not been subject to any seedy complaints like other places named.

The Gay 90's is not even close to germane in this conversation. Its not even a gay club, more straight young people go there for the dance club than gays to meet.

However, to name it goes to show where the mentality of many are. To some of you gay=bad. That's messed up on your behalf. Its not surprising though.

Don't drag me into this, I don't know anything about the background on fitness clubs and are they equivalent to massage parlors, or the local Bally's.

A lot of assuming going on here and we already know there are plenty of idiots among the Anonymous ether.


Eric

12:20 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Practice what you preach Eric.
Whats your last name ?

12:35 PM  
Blogger Nancy Lazaryan said...

This comment has been removed by the author.

12:47 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Nancy, the Faust was to classified
as a place of buisness.
It was zoned commercial and therefore falls within the jurisdiction of zoning laws which can be held to scrutiny by local laws and ordinances.

12:53 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

See what I mean?

Everybody on here know my first and last name and where I live. Everyone that's been reading for more than a week.

You're calling me a hypocrite because YOU don't know my LAST name. YOU, who write under ANONYMOUS, is calling me a hypocrite?

Its Sunday, so here's a little bit Matthew for your daily word.

Matthew chapter 7, verse 5:
"Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother's eye."

beam=log
mote=speck

Get it?


Eric

12:56 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I am sure Larry Flynt wouldnt mind
commenting here.

12:59 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Maybe I havn't been posting here nim rod.
I choose to not give my name but you do, so I just thought you might sign your posts with your last name so then you go saying I called you a hypocrite ?
I didnt use that word, you did.
Go back to church devil man.

1:04 PM  
Blogger Bob said...

Chuck, most of your comment was slanderous. I stated, I had never been in the Faust.

You also said;

Bob you have hit the nail on the head you and Nancy and your ilk don't give a damn about anyone but yourselves and believe that the government does not have a right to protect others from your behavior.

my response- First of all Chuck, I do not have a behavior that could be considered criminal. Secondly, I care about others Chuck. I wouldn't be here donating so much of my time to this blog if I didn't care about others.

Chuck as another poster commented. All you and Dave accomplished was chasing a crime from this establishment to the streets of University where it has been flourishing all these years. Only now these hoe's jump right in your car when you come to a stop at a stop light. I know it's happened to me and a buddy on a separate occassion.

I came to the light on Victoria and University and stopped at the light and this hooker jumped in my car and asked me if I had "some money for some honey".

Personally I have never had to pay for a prostitute. I have always been one of those men guys like you envy Chuck. Rarely ever have I asked for a date from anyone. Now, I am no gift to womanhood but I sure have always tried to be a good man to the ladies and word got around.

As far as prostitution goes. The only crime is it is not legal.

1:08 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

It is in vegas and contributes to the economy!
Thats why they dont pay some taxes.

1:13 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Chuck, why you guys go after these establishments just before an election? Is it the only time you care about it?

1:25 PM  
Blogger Nancy Lazaryan said...

Anonymous at 12:53
It does not matter that the property was "zoned" commercial.

The FACT of who owned the property...private citizen of corporation determines what "rights" are afforded to the owner.

A corporation has no "private" rights. A corporation is PART of the government. The government has no private rights.

1:34 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Why is it that buisness is forced by rule, to be represented by an attorney in court ?

1:40 PM  
Blogger Nancy Lazaryan said...

This comment has been removed by the author.

2:03 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Thanks.

2:11 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I'm sure I'm missing the point here, but CPR training at the Red Cross is done almost every Monday night, in a four hour class, for $50. I'd bet they'd even give these fitness places a group discount.... why not just send your employees to get trained?

BD

7:18 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Sounds like a liability issue.
We pay city taxes that paramedics/fire are on call 24/7.

This is Government stepping on the freedoms of the people telling them what can and cannot be done on their time off from work.

I guess they want an unhealthy society .

What does a Sex crack down ordinance have to due with CPR
training.

Someone should get an opinion as to whether OSHA approves or requires of such kind of mandatory
and stupid enforcement.




Jeff Matiatos

7:54 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

To BD

Where thet can get CPR classes for cheap is not the issue. The issue is here we have government once again trampling the rights of people when there is no problem, has been no problem and will not be a problem. How many of your rights so you want to give up to these ass holes so you can be safe. Look around the city! These leaders past record of providing for someones saftey doesn't make me want to trust them to worry about even my dog. What they do to someone else today is what they will do to you tomorrow or next week or next year. How much of your freedom are you willing to give to these no good politicians to hide behind so they can look good for their own political gain?

8:06 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Hey Repke, what would of been wrong with having the police do their job and send vise in there.

Oh ya I forgot your philosophy "get rid of the nest get rid of the critter" gets in the way of meaningful crime strategies.

9:31 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Thune is up for election again in 3 years and 7 months... yes you boob you have once again hit it on the head, he is obviously doing it as an election ploy.

The point to this is that if the citizens of Saint Paul are concerned about those who would open sex for sale shops, then they need to make sure that any place that allows their customers to go into changing rooms have paid staff to supervise what is going on and that they are responsible for the antics that occur.

JMONTOMEPPOF

Chuck Repke

9:32 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I'll never feel safe in a "dressing room" again!

9:53 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Chuck,

Ever been to Maharajhas ( I think I spelled that right ) ?

I know him personally and I like him personally so I dont want to make waves but he sells pot para and smut.

Kids walk in there all the time.

Even though he keeps an area seperate, kids peek in there all the time.

Whats strange is that fantasy gifts moved out because of city bullying, whats up with that ?

9:53 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Sounds like discriminatory emforcement to me.

9:58 PM  
Blogger Bob said...

Chuck said;
Thune is up for election again in 3years and 7 months... yes you boob you have once again hit it on the head, he is obviously doing it as an election ploy.

my response-

Chuck, you and Dave have lost this one. And yes if this was one day after Dave's election or 3 years 7 months as you say now, the voters will remember this. And from reading here and at twincities.com they are not happy. Dave sure has lost the fitness crowds vote.

I'd like to see all these fitness parlours post memo's in remembrance of this issue. This way every client who walks through the door will know who not to vote for next election.

Chuck you will be surprised I think there should be an attendant in these places after hours. However, I want someone there for legitimate reasons unlike you and your pal Dave.

As you stated, you want someone there to hold these establishments accountable for behaviors that take place within their doors.I am assuming you are talking about sex. More of the "get rid of the nest get rid of the critter" mentality, and this deal is the foundation to take those steps should you or your ilk not feel this business measures up. Dave is selling this deal under the rouge of needing a medical assistant. What a joke!

I want an attendant there because there has been a very dark side to this city in the past. We have had our share of homicidal & serial rapist in the metro area over the years.

I fear for the safety of a lone woman patronizing these establishments.

9:58 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

And the smokers crowed to Bob !

9:59 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Bob,

Here is the deal. I don't think Thune has any problem with legit fitness centers. The issue is that what is legal for one is legal for all. The only way that you can control the slime balls of the world is to hold them accountable for their actions.

If you have an adult theator in which you have viewing booths that just happen to have holes inbetween the booths, there ought to be some way to hold you accountable for the actions that occur between the customers in your booths. But, the lawyers are good and what happens of course is that the only one who is ever held responsible is the person who offers to perform for a cop, not the staff member on duty and not the owner that creates the situation to allow the activity to occer. So, you end up having to restrict the ability to access adult entertainment because you can't get at the slime ball that would facilitate the unlawful activity occuring.

So, back to the fitness centers. The solution to the message parlors, saunas, "health clubs" was to create an ordinance that required you to have proffessional staff on hand. Legit businesses haven't been hampered because they want to have a proffessional staff.

But, now you have these cheep joints that want to open up and have the city change the law that has helped us get rid of the sex shops because they want a cheep gym to go to.

Too bad.

JMONTOMEPPOF

Chuck Repke

10:50 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Repke says...."But, the lawyers are good and what happens of course is that the only one who is ever held responsible is the person who offers to perform for a cop, not the staff member on duty and not the owner that creates the situation to allow the activity to occer."

I say.....what's the problem Chuck with a lawyer good enough to know when someone has not broken the law and ther guy walks free. What you're saying is that if the cops can't catch you then we should hold an innocent 3rd party reaponsible. This is the exact thing that's gotten the city sued by lots of people in these federal lawsuits that are going on now. How many more lawsuits do you want? How about getting the politics out of everything and tell everyone to go back to work and do the job they were hired for. We could spend the extra money on making the neighborhoods better.

11:15 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Repke said:

"The only way that you can control the slime balls of the world is to hold them accountable for their actions."

The other way is hire them for city jobs that have official immunity.

9:28 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Even official immunity is not absolute.




Jeff Matiatos

10:40 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Pity we poor, unprotected slobs in W. St. Paul.

So ignorant that we will continue to patronize the Anytime Fitness on Smith, at any time of the day or night, and put ourselves at tremendous risk because no one cares about us.

To say nothing of the mob of hookers that will surely be flocking to RC Dick's parking lot now.

I hope all of you living in the protectorate of St. Paul appreciate just how much Bucky Thune cares about you.

He's spending sleepless nights scanning the horizon with his steely glare. Together with his faithful minion Chuck "JSUFMB" Repke, ever vigilant for evil dooers.

Bucky Thune: Tucking you in at night and making sure you've brushed your teeth properly so you don't have to.

11:05 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Song dedication for Thune :



" Hand of Doom " Black Sabbath

11:15 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

OK Swifty, how do you think the "Playboy Club" on West Seventh and Smith got away with having private sessions... they were a "health club" and the Cosmo on Arcade and on and on...

It is not that freaking long ago we got rid of that crap.

So, why should we change the law to allow these places? Hmmm let's see so they can compete with the businesses that actually hire people. So, we can put more people out of work?

What in the heck good comes out of this exchange?

JMONTOMEPPOF

Chuck Repke

11:27 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Overreaching by code enforcement because they dont have the Ricomen to kick around.
I havent read anything here where this fitness club has violated an existing law. What is it Chuck they violated. ?
Did they catch em in the act of sexual misconduct / loitering / or what ?
At the very least,the guise of requiring medical trained persons on sight is just that, an excuse to
interefere with a legitamate law abiding buisness.
I would think that the security risk concern gets taken care of by the already requirement the city has in place for security cameras, similar to the ordinance being applied to convience stores.
The health part of it is perhalps an issue with OSHA.

11:42 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

"Private sessions" you say? OMG!

Well, that's different. Private sessions indeed! I bet there was cigarette smoking going on in there as well....thank God Bucky stepped in when he did!

Of course it would be nearly impossible for those of us that don't have crime fighting X-ray eyes to tell the difference between health clubs that offer those infamous private sessions, and those that don't.

The cops are helpless without Bucky!

Maybe, after you and Bucky have rid the city of St. Paul of the last franchise business...er, I mean evil doer, you could alert the managers of the new "Village at Mendota Heights" of the henious danger that they are subjecting their patrons of!

No supervision is bad enough, I bet they are anti-union as well....

Villians!

Quick Repke! Turn on the Bucky Beacon!

12:36 PM  
Blogger Nancy Lazaryan said...

This comment has been removed by the author.

7:53 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Hey Chuck,

Since the law about trained medical staff was passed, has the amount of prostitution gone up, down or stayed the same in St. Paul? If the answer is anything other than down, then all the law did is move the prostitutes back to the street.

Which, ironicly, is the same place you want the poor to live!

9:38 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Maybr Thune wants the poor to have equal access to hookers.

10:27 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Nancy, I'd say that if after fully and freely excersizing your constitutional rights with a guy, he's gonna need CPR it'd be a crime to refuse you a cigar afterwards!

10:37 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Alright, I'll ask.

Are we talking about getting in shape or, getting some tail?

I just want to keep up, either one is good.

Eric

5:02 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I guess if you live in St. Paul, one is the same as the other Eric.

5:22 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

One by one, every right we have in going into the toilet in the name of the government having to look for everyone. I feel sorry for people of St Paul who can't seem to do anything for themsleves.

9:51 PM  
Blogger Nancy Lazaryan said...

This comment has been removed by the author.

5:26 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Nancy,

Is that Tricky Dick from the preceeding thread?

11:38 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Well Nancy, some people believe that we should have the right to control prostitution. You may not think so, but some do. I think that they believe that states have the right to regulate that of business transaction and prohibit it.

What we have found is that the best way to control fronts for prostitution is to require there to be staff employees in any business that claims to be a "health club" to create a link between the owner of the club and the activity.

By-in-large it has worked. Most of those colorful places have gone out of business in Saint Paul, because if someone was blowing someone in the bathhouse for money, the owner had a responsibility to know what activities was going on and to attempt to control it.

JMONTOMEPPOF

Chuck Repke

2:52 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Chuck,

Many of us believe that city officials should not be prostituting themselfes for their political pimps.

We need to control the political prostitutes as well.

5:35 PM  
Blogger Nancy Lazaryan said...

This comment has been removed by the author.

9:22 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Nancy

I thought Larry Craig was just performing a constituant service in the men's room. I don't think there was any payment involved.

JMONTOMEPPOF

Chuck

10:05 PM  
Blogger Nancy Lazaryan said...

This comment has been removed by the author.

11:22 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Nancy, prostitution involves the exchange of money. Chucky services Bucky for free.

10:34 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Nancy dear, you fighting awfully 'hard' for this one. Is there a confession you'll like to share?

Seriously, prostitution is illegal (direct exchange of money for sex outside of marriage). Fighting the ridiculousness of it should happen in the courts on prostitution, not through establishments that may offer it.

Fight the law. Until then, its illegal. Until then, the city and then the state have a right to regulate commerce. Its part of the social contract you agreed to when you decided to live here and run a business here. Nevada offers a different option for that type of commerce. Just like every other business, when you decided to operate, know the laws. If you don't like them, go elsewhere.

Eric

11:05 AM  
Blogger Nancy Lazaryan said...

This comment has been removed by the author.

12:55 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Yes Nancy, I have been accused of doing for money what others to for love and passion... that makes me a lobbyist. Same thing...

As to the issue. There were pleanty of arrests in the saunas the issue was that the owners had no employees in the sauna, only independent contracts... thus the ordinance to link the owner to the actions in the building via the employee..

JMONTOMEPPOF

Chuck Repke

3:28 PM  
Blogger Nancy Lazaryan said...

This comment has been removed by the author.

3:13 AM  
Blogger Bob said...

City Council Agenda May 7th.

6. Letter from the Office of the City Attorney announcing a public hearing before the
City Council on May 21, 2008 to consider the report of the Administrative Law
Judge concerning all licenses held by Health Skills LLC St. Paul, d/b/a Anytime
Fitness, 2501 Seventh Street West, and Wittwer Fitness, Inc., d/b/a Anytime
Fitness, 1678 Suburban Avenue.

6:26 PM  

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