Speaking at a City Council last week, Minor told attendees that a Salem man’s plans to open Spice Adult Video in Newport could not be thwarted in the courts, but they could be hindered on the streets.
“I'm not trying to tell you what to do, but one thing that's been effective [in shutting down adult businesses] is picketing outside and taking pictures of customers,” Minor said of Greg Tyree’s proposed store. “If it doesn't make money, it's not going to continue.”
When one audience member voiced concern over the legality of such a tactic, Newport Police Chief Mark Miranda quickly reassured him.
“As long as [the protestors are] on public property, like a sidewalk, it's fine,” Miranda said.
Minor lamented the Oregon Supreme Court’s liberal stand on freedom of speech issues, but said the city could not pass moral judgment when it granted business licenses, even though 185 residents had signed a petition to prevent the store from opening.
“[It’s] not a system where we decide who's good, who's bad or something where we can pass judgment,” he said. “It's essentially a tax.”
Tyree has owned and operated a similar 24-hour Spice Adult store in Salem for several years, selling adult videos, novelties and magazines. According to Lincoln County records, he purchased the Newport property in May for more than $400,000.
Because the property is located in a C-1 commercial zone in Newport there is no need for a public hearing to approve the application. Barring any unforeseen legal dilemma, the City Council is expected to approve Tyree’s application sometime next week.
