NATCHEZ — City Attorney Jack Lazarus said Monday morning that he has no comment on the Friday ruling by Circuit Court Judge Carmen Drake that overturns a Board of Aldermen decision involving the Truth Lounge, 719-½ Franklin St. in downtown Natchez.
The Truth Lounge was forced to close in June 2024 after the Natchez Planning Commission voted 4 to 3 to revoke the special exception to operate it granted the nightclub on March 16, 2023.
After opening in 2023, neighbors of Truth Lounge routinely complained of loud noise and unruly crowds gathering outside the club, partying and littering nearby parking lots.
On April 25, 2024, the planning commission in a 4 to 3 vote moved to revoke the special exception granted the Truth Lounge.
Banks and Haywood appealed that decision to the Board of Aldermen, who on June 18, 2024, voted 3 to 2 to leave the planning commission’s decision in place.
On June 28, 2024, Banks and Haywood appealed the Board of Aldermen’s decision to the Sixth District Circuit Court. On Friday, Circuit Court Judge Carmen Drake sided with Banks and Haywood and reversed the Board of Aldermen’s decision.
Banks, accompanied by Ward 4 Alderwoman Felicia Bridgewater-Irving, showed up at City Hall Friday afternoon and Monday morning seeking a new business license to operate the lounge. However, Banks said he was denied that license and was told, “They want our attorneys to get in touch with the insurance company’s attorneys first.”
Bridgewater-Irving said Banks and Haywood were given a contact number for a Hattiesburg attorney to call to inquire about a business license. She said she contacted Natchez Mayor Pro-tem Sarah Carter Smith, who responded by advising that they contact the city attorney.
“I responded and told her that had already taken place on Friday. They were under the impression that all they had to do is show up Friday and they would receive their license,” Bridgewater-Irving said.
“I asked them to return to City Hall after 9 a.m. on Monday, and they did. I had to go to City Hall this morning on another matter, and while I was there, I inquired about the business license. Again, they were given the attorney’s number in Hattiesburg to call. I asked, ‘even if they have a copy of the judgment with them?’ ” she said.
“I must also say, I am very disappointed. It was not a pleasant situation. (City workers were very unprofessional, even disrespectful, even to the police officers who came there,” Bridgewater-Irving said.
Natchez Mayor Dan Gibson, who was out of town on business over the weekend and on Monday, said he could not comment because of a pending lawsuit Truth Lounge owners have filed against him personally.
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