A sexually oriented business was not allowed to open in Wright City since the proposed location did not meet zoning requirements for an establishment of its kind. The business, to be named After Party, was going to sell items of a sexual nature, specifically ladies apparel, gifts and novelties. Renee Harville, who applied for the business license, wanted to open the store in the Town Center strip mall located on the North Service Road near the Wright City Academy. Aldermen tabled a decision on the license at the Feb. 25 meeting only for Harville to withdraw her application prior to the next aldermanic meeting. Resident Cindy Graham questioned city officials at last Thursday's board of aldermen meeting on why the ordinance could not be changed. She has been a frequent critic at meetings complaining the city is not doing enough to attract or support businesses. "Is because it's sexually oriented that no one wants it to come in here?" Graham asked. "Is it taboo to think nobody in here has sex? Nobody in here wears underwear or lingerie or panties or bras?" According to city ordinance, sexually oriented businesses are allowed in Wright City but only in an industrial zoning district. City Clerk Christine Martin said the industrial zoning districts are scattered throughout the city. Alderman Angie Reynolds said the business also was not preferred due to the presence of children and schools - the Town Center location is near the Wright City Academy. The ordinance reads a sexually oriented business cannot operate within 500 feet of a church, school facility, daycare, park or residential district. Graham quickly responded that the sexually oriented business is no different than a bar where age requirements are enforced. "Let's not be so pristine and so prissy that we can't let businesses come into this town that people might frequent," she said. "It might not be you, you or you, but it would be somebody that lives here that has to travel to another town that pays sales tax to another town that we could be getting here." Bill Schaffer, a former alderman and mayoral candidate, informed the board and Graham the ordinance was passed in March 2006 following a recommendation made by the Missouri Municipal League. He said a public hearing on the ordinance was held and recalled that minimal discussion was held. "Pretty much it was statewide to limit sexually oriented businesses at a specific zone," Schaffer said. "It wasn't something just dreamed up out of the blue." If Graham wants to make an official request to have the ordinance revised, it was suggested to appeal in writing and have it forwarded to her alderman. The request could then be brought up before the board to determine if any action is warranted. Mayor, Board Split on Public Comment Procedure One meeting after Alderman Jamey Abercrombie implemented a new procedure on wanting all public comments made at a microphone at the dais, Mayor Roy White, who was absent at the May 11 meeting, disagreed with the move last week. As the chairman of the board, he said he is in charge of how the meeting would be run. "What is going to happen here you can be recognized to speak," White said. "You can stand or you can sit; it's your option. It's been done that way for years and we're not going to change it. We're not going to have people come up here to the mike and be intimidated or whatever." Abercrombie and White exchanged words about the speaking arrangement and following Robert's Rules of Order, a guide to running meetings effectively and fairly by nearly all governmental entities. "So we won't go off Robert's Rules of Order like you've been saying for the last few years?" Abercrombie asked. White responded: "I'm still the chairman here and I am still going to run the meetings like I have in the past." "So it's Roy's rule of order?" Abercrombie remarked. About half of the people addressing the board used the microphone at last week's meeting, with the rest sitting or standing near their seat. Aldermen had hoped the new procedure would reduce or eliminate the constant quarreling and interruptions that occur at most meetings. The city has a public comment portion near the start of the meetings where attendees are allowed to speak on any item. A 10-minute question period is held prior to adjournment. In addition, all attendees are allowed to speak on any agenda item.