Print this story | E-mail story | This story has 37 comments Add your own | iPod friendly
Vidalia leaders discuss future of Danny's Lounge
Published Wednesday, June 11, 2008
VIDALIA — Vidalia city leaders will meet with the owners of Danny’s Lounge to discuss what needs to be done to reduce crime around the bar.
Mayor Hyram Copeland made the announcement at the Vidalia Board of Alderman’s meeting Tuesday night.
Fire Chief Jack Langston, who said he was concerned about sending emergency responders to the area, brought up the topic.
“I have heard reports of police and auxiliary police being jumped on down there,” Langston said. “I’m not happy about sending those people down there in a situation like that.”
There was a shooting in the parking lot of Danny’s Lounge early Saturday morning, and the recent four-car fatal car wreck on the Mississippi River Bridge reportedly started at Danny’s.
Copeland said he and police chief-elect Tapper Hendricks would be meeting with the owners soon.
“It will be taken care of, and it will be handled rather quickly, period,” Copeland said.
The board also voted to approve proposed pay raises for the board of aldermen, the mayor and the chief of police.
The pay increase brings the mayor’s salary to $69,500 a year, the chief of police to $55,000 a year and aldermen’s salaries to $600 a month.
During the public hearing to discuss the raise, only one person, Audrey Grey, objected.
“I don’t understand the aldermen getting a $350 raise,” Grey said. “You don’t see them except at election time. The money doesn’t matter, but we aren’t getting any service.”
The pay increase passed 3-2, with Aldermen Ricky Knapp and John Betts objecting.
In other news:
4The board voted to require new major commercial electrical customers to share installation costs with the city.
For major customers, the city has to install a transformer and keep a backup so if the businesses’ transformer goes down they can continue to operate, City Manager Ken Walker said.
Now, major businesses will have to buy one transformer and pay half of the cost of connection.
4The council agreed to look into modifying the city’s current ordinances about so-called “green spaces,” which would require new businesses to have appropriate landscaping and parking.
Resident Eleanor Talley brought the request before the board.
Some new businesses have taken the initiative to landscape on their own, but others have not, and the difference between a business with proper shrubbery and just a concrete wall is obvious, Talley said.
“Vidalia is my hometown and it has always been a beautiful little town,” Talley said. “I just would like to see it stay that way, and this is one of the ways we can do that.”
The city has required a business to erect some shrubberies in the past, City Attorney Jack McLemore said.
4The board passed a resolution supporting the renewal of the parishwide library tax, which is on the ballot for July 19.
Approximately 93 percent of the library’s budget comes from the tax millage, and the library board is not asking for an increase in millage, Concordia Parish Libraries Director Amanda Taylor said.
4The board voted to start advertising for bids for a new wood chipper.
Comments
Posted by ProNatchez (anonymous) on June 11, 2008 at 5:22 a.m. (Suggest removal)
You should start with a match. Burn it down.
Posted by Blasterhappy (anonymous) on June 11, 2008 at 7:15 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Yeah I say get rid of it. It just another breeding spot for crime.
Posted by momoftwo23 (anonymous) on June 11, 2008 at 7:56 a.m. (Suggest removal)
It does not matter if they get rid of it. These people will just find somewhere else to go to start trouble.
Posted by c_and_d (anonymous) on June 11, 2008 at 8:01 a.m. (Suggest removal)
How about when those young adults in 1992 left dimples and wrecked and 2 died. Or how about the guy that beat the other guys head into the curb and killed him? He had just left Dimples. Everyone needs someone to blame. Everyone blamed The Mix for what happened there and now you blame Danny’s bar. What’s the problem people? Are you going to blame Burger King for the shooting in their parking lot? Or maybe we can blame the bridge for causing that wreck? Come on now. It happens everywhere. It’s the person or peoples fault for drinking and driving. Its the person’s fault for shooting that gun. And it’s the person who beat the guys head… and the person who bashed in sculls with pipes. I’m not saying that anyone deserves to die. It’s a tragedy, but guess what… It’s not the business or the business owner’s fault. It’s society’s.
Posted by SniperX (anonymous) on June 11, 2008 at 8:03 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Danny's is a landmark institution in Vidalia, where else are the drug dealers to go! You can't just burn it down! If you set it on fire then Fire Cheif Jack Langston would have to send firemen to put it out. And in the artical above he stated, "He did not want to send people down there." But what the Sheriff, Cheif of Police, and State Troopers can do is keep several police officers there during business hours. They just need to check ID's, search people for weapons and drugs, and just be a general nuisance. It wouldn't take but a month or two and Danny's would be out of business.
Posted by drawpaintsing (anonymous) on June 11, 2008 at 8:13 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Good! Something needs to be done about this.
Posted by lilredhead (anonymous) on June 11, 2008 at 8:28 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I drive through that area to get home and it is always VERY dark down that road. There are always people all out in the street and on top of vehicles. We have started going around the long way if we are coming home after dark. I think it is sad when even the first responders are afraid to go down there. That goes to show it is out of control. Also when something happens at Danny's and the officers are trying to question people they all lie. That is why they can't find out what happened on the bridge or exactly who was involved in the recent shooting. Can you honestly tell me they were able to see two white males and two black males but not describe the vehicle better.
Posted by fonkeytowngirl (anonymous) on June 11, 2008 at 8:30 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I'm not sure how I feel about the possibility of them closing this nightclub. I used to go to this club myself and stopped going because of the amount of violence that takes place there. I agree that there should be something put in place at the club to check for weapons and the use of illegal drug while on the premises. The main reason I stopped going there was because last year a female that was in the club was shot and she was standing in front of me and unfortunately my foot was grazed and was bleeding after the incident. The only explanation that was given to us a week after the incident is that someone dropped a gun out of her pocket by mistake and it went off. First of all, everyone should have been checked for guns upon entering the club. They do check for weapons but it's mostly the men that are getting checked. Women are just as dangerous as the men these days and they need to be checked as well. I have no problem getting my purse or anything else searched because I come out to have a good time and not for confrontation or violence and I want to leave just like I came, safe and healthy. I honestly don't want them to close the club down all together but the club owners need to spend a little more money to secure their premises and to protect their customers. I could have been dead that night all because of a "mistake"!!!! I haven't been to a club since that night!!!
Posted by sayitloud (anonymous) on June 11, 2008 at 8:34 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Sounds like south Los Angeles.
Posted by ncogg (anonymous) on June 11, 2008 at 9 a.m. (Suggest removal)
To the burning the club down comment. That will not resolve anything. Instead it would cause the club goers that commit crime and sell drugs to venture out to new territories. Yes, that area of "downtown" Vidalia is bad. Increasing security,(flash light cops or off-duty police officers) in the club as well on the outer perimeters is a start. It would probably cut the illegal activity in half. Another thing the club owners should do is stop letting those underage(under 18 yrs old) club goers into the club as well. Start checking those ID's , that will help too!!!
Posted by daris (anonymous) on June 11, 2008 at 9:01 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I agree something needs to be done. I really don't understand why they have to stay open past 2:00. We use to go to Danny's back in the day and they closed at 2 a.m. We had a nice time. It doesn't take all night to have a good time. It's so much pill popping and drinking and that just don't mix, the later it's gets the more pumped up these kids are and then things start happening. Don't get me wrong it can happen anywhere, anytime but clubs that stay open all night is only waiting for trouble to start. There's a club called Papa T's in Wisner when I use to go there they had security and you wasn't aloud to hang out side and guess what they didn't have all that fighting. One time I was up there a fight broke out in the club, security got the trouble makers out quick. So please try to solve this problem because it's getting worse. I really wish in my heart if you can't close it down, then at least try to get them to close at a decent hour. Like someone said in a earlier comment you hate to drive that way. I was visiting a friend on that street and it was so many people sitting outside on cars. I don't know why the people in that neighborhood hadn't complained. The owners should want to help solve this problem by stressing the fact if you're not in the club them leave the premises. Get heavy security for the outside as well as the inside.
Posted by cchat123 (anonymous) on June 11, 2008 at 9:37 a.m. (Suggest removal)
If the city cannot cease the violence and criminal activity at the popular outing...simply hold the owner responsible and revoke the owner's entertainment license.
Close the venue, offer a fair price and convert the building into something else which benefits the community. A grocery market, daycare center, training school comes to mind ....time brings change...maybe Danny's the nightclub has seen its run.
Posted by drawpaintsing (anonymous) on June 11, 2008 at 9:45 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Chat, that's a good idea. What about an activity center, where they can do art and create things? It can have books, computers, etc. Let me stop dreaming. I wouldn't suggest an arcade, because it may turn into another hang-out, and then the cycle starts all over. But, hey, this is just me and my crazt ideas. Children love art.
Posted by Perro (anonymous) on June 11, 2008 at 10:45 a.m. (Suggest removal)
People lets remember this is a nightclub. However, perhaps officials or the powers that be could consider a curfew for this club and its patrons. Also, police presence could be beefed up in the area. What about possible road blocks during the times of operation? This would definately discorage the drinking and driving. Also, have some sort of town meeting with the owners and the club and warn them of guidelines and consequences. If it keeps on, just close the eyesore down.
Posted by mrserey (anonymous) on June 11, 2008 at 2:15 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I don't agree with the burning it down suggestion. I do agree that something needs to be done about Danny's Lounge because this is not the first shooting that has taken place there. If I recall correctly, a patron was shot in the leg at Danny's Lounge. From what I understand, there are too many drug dealings going on there. To me, Danny's Lounge is becoming a nuisance and there should be laws to protect the citizens that live in that area or that patronize Danny's Lounge. The majority of the time when there are young people running a club or something like that, there always seems to be trouble. For example, Rawbone Records used to be run as a nightclub before it became Oscar's Place it was another nightclub that was run by a young adult and the patrons were very young adults, for example in their early twenties and there was always trouble there at that nightclub. However, when it became Oscar's Place, the patrons were older adults, in their mid 30s or early 40s or older and you didn't hear of all this trouble going at Oscar's Place. I also don't agree with the fact that a person under 21 should be able to patronize a nightclub because if they are under 21 and in that club with people that are old enough to purchase and drink alcoholic beverages, they're going to drink it too and to me there is too much underage drinking going on around here. I really feel they need to do something about Danny's Lounge before a senseless occurs there.
Posted by lilredhead (anonymous) on June 11, 2008 at 4:12 p.m. (Suggest removal)
So is Rawbone Records or whatever it is a club? I see CHILDREN there all of the time coming in and out. When the door is open it looks like a bar. I am confused about what children are doing in there and in that parking lot. Could someone please clarify? Is it a club that serves alcohol or is it a teen hangout?
Posted by msblackstallion (anonymous) on June 11, 2008 at 4:48 p.m. (Suggest removal)
close all the clubs in the area!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by msblackstallion (anonymous) on June 11, 2008 at 4:50 p.m. (Suggest removal)
this can happen anywhere remember the white thugs running from the police and had a wreck and died.
Posted by firered (anonymous) on June 11, 2008 at 4:53 p.m. (Suggest removal)
not everybody in that vehicle was a thug... Be careful of the words you use. You never know who's family is reading.
Posted by thick1982 (anonymous) on June 11, 2008 at 4:58 p.m. (Suggest removal)
c_and_d . I agree with you. People can't blame others for their wrongdoing. Like people always want to blame the parents. These kids have a mind of their own. What about a preacher child? Preachers teach their children how 2 live by the bible and they still in up doing wrong. Police teach their children how to live by the law. My parents taught me good and if I end up doing something crazy its my fault NOT my parents. So don't blame a club for what people do. I can sit at home and listen to music and get CRUNK are you going to blame the music for me acting FOOLISH. NO, I got a mind of my own. People need to take blame for their own mistakes and stop trying to find others to blame.
Posted by msblackstallion (anonymous) on June 11, 2008 at 6:25 p.m. (Suggest removal)
that is myyyyyyyyyyy point
Posted by msblackstallion (anonymous) on June 11, 2008 at 6:27 p.m. (Suggest removal)
thick 1982 are you from ferriday?
Posted by ntzmom (anonymous) on June 11, 2008 at 7:37 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Where is this place...I have never heard of Dannys Louge.
Oh, and in Louisianna there is a 2:00 law I thought.
Posted by fire39212 (anonymous) on June 11, 2008 at 9:39 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Yea i have never heard of Danny's.....Shoot stop going to Danny's just drive through get you a drink and drive around....Why not have cops there checking i.d.'s and pulling kids over for drinking and driving?
Posted by kpage (anonymous) on June 11, 2008 at 9:50 p.m. (Suggest removal)
fire...the drive-thru drink joints give you your drink with the straw still in its packaging. This releases them from DUI lawsuits and makes perfect sense. But you and I know that as soon as the driver rounds the bend, the straw is deep in the cup and the drinkin' n drivin' begins! Egads!
Posted by dmackZuluking (anonymous) on June 11, 2008 at 9:52 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Danny's Lounge faces toward the Mississippi River on west-side of levee. The city of Vidalia can still get thier taxes and Danny's Lounge can cut crime in the area by 98% if they make the club a oldies motown sound club. Because back in the days before 1990 the cool people from Ferriday-Natchez-Vidalia would chill, respect women, no loud music in cars so everyone would know that we are coming down the street. When you look at it this way these children today don't have what we had..having a good time on Saturday Night, see you in Church on Sunday. Violence rules these children in everything they say or do from Jerry Springer to video games to normal. NO one cares until something happen. Back in the day if someone got out of hand with a lady, someone would step up to her defense. Today that same lady will curse you out for stepping up to her beau and fight you :) for getting in her business !
Posted by kpage (anonymous) on June 11, 2008 at 10:10 p.m. (Suggest removal)
dmack...I think if Danny's would take your suggestion, the clientele would be older and more mature and wiser, so you probably wouldn't hear a peep out of that place, unless they advertised for a cookout or fundraiser.
Posted by lilredhead (anonymous) on June 11, 2008 at 10:29 p.m. (Suggest removal)
dmack----- That would be great if they could keep it cleaned up. How great would it be to listen to some of the old jazz and blues singers from way back with people who have respect for music and the people around them. I love Billie Holiday and I will never forget seeing BB King in concert! These kids now have no respect for themselves or anyone else. It is sad. I just hope I have more influence over my children than their friends, tv and the internet.
Posted by kpage (anonymous) on June 11, 2008 at 10:39 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Gosh, yall make that sound so appealing! Maybe yall could get something like that going...kinda take over Danny's and recreate it. Just bust on in and take charge. Hahaha!!! Would be neat, though.
Posted by thick1982 (anonymous) on June 11, 2008 at 10:42 p.m. (Suggest removal)
msblackstallion. I'm from the MISS-LOU area. That's all I'm saying
Posted by thick1982 (anonymous) on June 11, 2008 at 10:47 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Young people gonna follow the crowd it could be Top Cats in Ferriday or Paradise in Natchez. It doesn't matter the age people will follow the crowd. Children under 21 will find some way to get alcohol. Majority of them hang around 21 & older now.
Posted by kpage (anonymous) on June 11, 2008 at 10:52 p.m. (Suggest removal)
thick..on any given night, how many underage kids are in these clubs? Do they all drink? I guess if the girls come, the guys come to see them and spend money on them...a clubowner's cha-ching!
Posted by rocketman (anonymous) on June 11, 2008 at 10:54 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Maybe since Mickey Gilley and Jerry Lee Lewis are the mayors cousins he could get them to come also...what a hoot! Seriously...thanks Hyram for taking a stand and trying to clean the place up. Hats off to you and Tapper.
Posted by Choctaw (anonymous) on June 11, 2008 at 11:47 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Dannys lounge stays open until daylight most of the time and they are able to stay open like that because they applied for,,,,,and received a "restaurant" license from the city of Vidalia!
Thats what the entire problem is! They used to have just a "nightclub" license and had to close at 2:00am just like all the other clubs in Louisiana do,,,,,But now they don't have a certain time to close! I blame City Hall for approving a restaurant license for this place when they knew that it was nothing more than a BAR!
The wreck on the bridge happened at around 4:00am! Those kids had just left Danny's Lounge when they had the wreck that killed two of them! If Danny's had been closed at 2:00am like they should have been,,,,those kids might still be alive!
I hope after July 1,,,,,Dannys is closed for good!
Posted by rocketman (anonymous) on June 11, 2008 at 11:58 p.m. (Suggest removal)
((Choctaw)) Maybe that liscense will be Hyrams ace in the hole to get this problem area taken care of. Let's hope so (being taken care of, that is).
Posted by Choctaw (anonymous) on June 12, 2008 at 12:06 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I hope so too rocketman!
Posted by thick1982 (anonymous) on June 12, 2008 at 3:46 a.m. (Suggest removal)
One morning I was heading to work and it was 6:30, I had to be there at 7 and i seen people standing outside the club and it was during the week.
Kpage I have no ideal how many underage. Now a days teenagers look like they are 25-30. Their looks and body are maturing fast.
Post a comment (Terms of Use Policy)
(Requires free registration.)