At a special called meeting of the City Council on Monday afternoon, council members voted to approve the alcohol beverage license for Veoliver “Cadillac” Curry’s What’s Next ???? Billiards establishment on South Tift Avenue. Councilman Roosevelt Russell was the only council member who voted not to approve the license.

In late March the City Council had refused to place Curry’s application on the Consent Agenda for their regular meeting due to concerns about his criminal record history which documented a number of arrests. In early April the local NAACP held a press conference and said the city council had “targeted” Curry. At their regular meeting the request was tabled by the City Council and Curry was asked to appear before an administrative hearing in late April to address the council’s concerns.

Prior to the final vote on Curry’s alcohol beverage request Monday afternoon, city council members discussed the issue again. Russell voiced concerns about the parking issue and asked if that issue had been resolved. At the administrative hearing, Roosevelt had expressed similar concerns that had arisen when Curry owned a former club and there were complaints at that time about traffic problems.

City Attorney Greg Sowell told Russell he had met with Curry last week and said Curry was agreeable with the parking concerns. “Many buildings in that area don’t meet all the regulations for parking spaces,” Sowell said. Sowell said he had been very clear with Curry that there should not be traffic congestion problems. “He understood that,” Sowell said. Sowell said he also told Curry that vehicles that were parked in adjacent lots without permission could be towed.

Previously Curry had said adjacent businesses had given him permission for his customers to use their parking areas. Russell asked if the council had the parking permission of adjacent businesses in writing. Sowell said they had it in writing from three of the businesses.

Russell then asked about laws that restrict the distance an adult entertainment business could be from schools, government buildings, etc. Sowell explained, “This is not adult entertainment. That is referring to nude dancing.” Sowell then said, “It is entertainment. It is for adults. But that law means nude dancing, so that code section does not apply to this situation.”

Russell then expressed concern about semi-trucks that frequent that area hitting cars parked there. Assistant City Manager Larry Riner said they would take a look at that.

Councilwoman Marianna Keesee asked if Curry had corrected the incorrect information on his application. Sowell said he did not know but said, “He won’t get it (the license) without changing it.”

Sowell then addressed concerns about the noise level. Sowell said he had discussed the issue with Curry and “he understands he has to be proactive.” Sowell said of Curry, “He has made the statement to me, ‘This is my business and it needs to stay open.’”

Councilman Joe Lewis said that noise seemed to be a problem, not necessarily in regards to Curry, and asked Tifton Police Chief Jim Smith, “How aggressively are we addressing that?” Smith answered, “We give a lot of tickets — more than you would believe.”

Russell asked, “What is the distance where it can get too loud?” Sowell said the noise should not be past the property line. Smith said he thought the distance was approximately 50 to 100 feet.

Mayor Jamie Cater said that he had gone to Curry’s establishment to see for himself what was going on there. He said he saw the use of the metal detectors and saw the ID checks. “He (Curry) was physically parking the cars,” Cater said. “He had security. I counted 10 security people.”

Cater said the business “filled up quick even without serving alcohol.” He said, “Everything I saw was taken care of.”

Addressing the loitering issue that had been raised at the hearing, Cater said, “I was the only one loitering.”