POOL HALL CONTROVERSY

There is a big controversy brewing in the Dixie business community in Dothan. Some are upset that one of their neighboring merchants is getting ready to open up a pool hall, which they claim will only bring in crime and violence. That area is already struggling to overcome a "seedy" reputation. Cecilia Brackin, owner of Essence of "U" Beauty Salon, says she as well as other shop owners, did not get a fair shake at Tuesday`s Dothan City Commission Meeting. The problem lies with Frank Lloyd, who recently got approved for a liquor license to go along with his pool hall establishment, which Brackin says was not a part of the original agreement. From the beginning, she said that they were told there would be no pool hall because they were trying to build the area up. Stylist Lashawn Corbitt agrees..."that was about two years ago before they poured the concrete, we`ve been in this thing since day one, and we are frustrated because we do not appreciate them bringing that enviornment around our clientele....it`s dangerous." "Three out of the five existing tenants on this strip oppose the pool hall for fear it will breed drugs, drunkeness, and violent criminal activity." But Frank, who also operates Southern Nights Lounge just a few doors down, says the opposers have it all wrong...and they`re just trying to put him "behind the eight ball." He said, "what we have here is a failure to communicate...if anyone had any questions about it, they should have come to me instead of being prejudice against me to think that I would harm anybody...crime is everywhere, banks get robbed in Dothan...gas stations...I have no control over that. The city requested that I put a sign up here for seven days, and they should have been at the meeting and know what oppose means and unoppose means...nobody opposed, and it was voted on." Larry Whitehurst, manager and leasing agent for the building, says if any tenant violates safety policies, their business will be shut down...as for Cecilia Brackin, she opposed the approval of the liquor license during the city meeting...problem is, it had alerady been voted on and passed.