Sex trade needs a red-light district

When St. John’s city council denies numerous applications for legitimate “family friendly” businesses, yet allows a number of “massage parlours” to operate in residential areas, you have to ask yourself, are they really that daft?

That’s not to say that a massage parlour is not a legitimate business; it is, after all, regarded as the oldest profession known to man. However, the very fact that the massage parlour on Wood Street was falsely operating under the guise of a “bed and breakfast” at one point should’ve been enough reason for the city to have permanently shut it down.

In the recent past, and based largely on concerns about traffic, clearly defined family-friendly business proposals in residential areas, such as yoga classes, daycares and restaurant expansions, have all been scrutinized, and ultimately denied by council. Clearly, the hours of operation and volume of traffic related to people attending yoga class would be a minor event in comparison to the 24-hour/7-day-a-week coming and going (no pun intended) associated with a massage parlour.

Is this the kind of “around-theclock” traffic the people at city hall want to see flourish in residential neighbourhoods? I highly doubt the residents of Wood Street were even informed about a massage parlour opening for business in their neighbourhood.

I wonder how Mayor Dennis O’Keefe’s family would feel about living next to a brothel?

I find it hard to believe that the mayor and members of city council don’t already know that “massage parlour” is just another term for a “house of ill repute.” But, just in case the people at city hall are truly naive, I’ll put it bluntly: it’s called the sex trade, and a massage parlour is a place where money is exchanged for sexual services.

Personally, I can’t believe the lack of forethought demonstrated by council in giving the go-ahead to this kind of business in a residential area.

Sadly, once again city council demonstrates the fact that they are completely clueless and out of touch with the wants and needs of the residents of this city.

How could council not realize the high level of activity, traffic and all round negative impact a massage parlour would have on a residential area? Talk about a complete lack of vision and understanding.

Maybe the folks at city hall should consider creating a legitimate “red light district,” similar to Amsterdam’s, right here in St. John’s. I’m sure tourists and most locals would think it was wicked!

Al Latham St. John’s