Officials disagree with Go-Go ruling

Austintown officials spoke out against a judge’s ruling regarding the Go Go Cabaret.

By Elise Franco

AUSTINTOWN — Not everyone is happy that the Go Go Cabaret is allowed to reopen.

Township Trustee Dave Ditzler called a news conference Thursday to respond to a Wednesday ruling by Judge Lou D’Apolito of Mahoning County Common Pleas Court.

“Austintown officials are appalled and outraged at the decision,” Ditzler said.

Judge D’Apolito ruled May 27 that the club was to be closed for up to one year with a provision that the cabaret may apply for release from the order after 90 days.

Ditzler said he took issue with Wednesday’s ruling because the club was shut down for only 65 days, from May 27 to July 30. The ruling stated that the cabaret was given credit for the days it was closed beginning May 1 after police raided the business.

The township trustee said the quick reopening also didn’t allow township officials time to review the Go Go’s plans.

“The cabaret was required to file a specific plan to ensure the nuisances were abated,” Diztler said. “Reopening within three days of the filing ... doesn’t allow us the opportunity to review the plan or properly respond.”

He said he’s looking into ways to reverse Judge D’Apolito’s decision.

Trustees Lisa Oles and Bo Pritchard weren’t present at the news conference. Oles said she doesn’t want to get involved in the disagreement.

“As far as the ruling goes, it’s the judge’s call, not the trustees’,” she said.

Owner Sebastian Rucci “has 11 plans in place to stop the drug use, he paid the $10,000 and he removed all the obnoxious and flamboyant advertisements. He also dropped two zoning appeals,” she added.

Ditzler said that it’s true that Rucci has remedied the club’s zoning issues but that it’s not enough.

“You can visually see the zoning concerns have been removed,” he said.

Ditzler noted drug arrests were made at the business. “You need proof that won’t happen again.”

Oles said at this point Rucci doesn’t have a liquor license, so it’s likely the business won’t open right away.

“We are opposed to the liquor license based on the previous under- age drinking,” she said.

Ditzler said the Ohio Liquor Control Commission already has denied the club’s liquor license, and Rucci has appealed.

“I do believe the only reason he wouldn’t open tomorrow is because of that issue,” Diztler said.

Rucci couldn’t be reached to comment Thursday evening.

Police Chief Bob Gavalier said if and when the Go Go reopens, it will be treated as any other business in the township.

“As long as they obey the laws, we’ll have no problem with it being open,” he said.

Wednesday’s ruling stated Go Go management “has rewritten their employment policies, providing for pat-down searches, drug testing and criminal background checks,” the ruling said. “Other acceptable changes have been made to monitor the entertainers, employees and patrons.”

Ditzler, however, said he thinks the only way to avoid the same problems in the future is a change in management.

efranco@vindy.com