New Regulations Could be Coming for Private Party Venues
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JACKSON, Tenn. – Jackson Mayor Jerry Gist believes the city can play a role in preventing incidents like Sunday’s double murder downtown during a private party, by using means within the city’s power. “The city is looking at a number of ways we can more or less regulate the use of vacant commercial buildings for quote unquote private, public parties,” said Gist. Mayor Gist believes since shutting down many of the city’s clubs, troublesome nightlife is finding it’s way elsewhere. “And in many places as this past weekend, tickets were sold to go into a supposedly private function,” said Gist. “So obviously we’re going to have to regulate this type of activity.” The owner of Wolfe Enterprises, James Wolfe, said he will cooperate with any new regulations that may be put in place, as long as they apply to all businesses that rent to private parties. “I’m fine with that,” said Wolfe. “As long as it’s not discriminating. We want to make sure that it’s not discriminating and we’ll be able to manage it well.” WBBJ 7 Eyewitness News spoke to several private business owners who declined to talk on camera. But one who did speak off-camera said it feels like other businesses are getting punished for following the law, when others simply are not. And while Wolfe said he is willing to accept new rules, he is skeptical of what could work. “I don’t see how you can come up with something that’s concrete enough, that would be (effective), and it be acceptable with everybody,” said Wolfe.
