MYRTLE &045; Cami Kussatz isn’t sure she wants a strip club three houses down from her’s. Raising a three-year-old, she’s concerned for his innocence.

&uot;I don’t have a problem with the strip club. I just don’t want it right here,&uot; she said. &uot;It’d be fine if it were outside of town.&uot;

The alcohol-free establishment, named C.J.’s Revenge Theater, opened less than two weeks ago in the former Myrtle Beach bar location. It is owned by Myrtle Beach proprietor Kevin Worke and his wife.

The club sits at the center of downtown Myrtle, on Main Street. But downtown is relative in this case. Myrtle is a town of 53, and its residents think that number may even be a stretch.

For this small town with a handful of businesses, a strip club is stirring up some controversy. The city has passed an ordinance banning nudity in public and residents have started staging protests outside the club, but nude dancing goes on inside, and the Workes have a powerful lawyer who has pledged to keep the club open.

&uot;It was a nice, quiet town,&uot; Kussatz said. &uot;It’s not so quiet anymore.&uot;

One day after the new business opened, the town adopted the new ordinance banning nudity in public places like businesses and bars. So far, the Freeborn County sheriff’s department has issued two citations for violation of the rule.

The Workes’ lawyer, Randall Tigue, who has made a name for himself representing club owners in these sorts of cases, says Myrtle and Freeborn County doesn’t have a very strong case.

&uot;It’s our position that we’re not in violation of the ordinance,&uot; Tigue said.

Tigue pointed out that many towns across Minnesota have adopted the same ordinance, and in all but one case where it’s been applied, the defense has been victorious.

&uot;This ordinance has a dismal track record,&uot; he said.

The ordinance is written in such a fashion that places giving theatrical performances are exempt from the nudity ordinance.

&uot;(C.J.’s Revenge Theatre) has a stage, a dressing room, lights, an audience and live stage performances,&uot; he said. &uot;It’s absolutely a theater.&uot;

The ordinance ban on nudity in public places, including business such as bars and cabarets, but says it’s allowed in places where it’s expected. Tigue questioned the interpretation of what a public place is and how the ordinance should apply to a club that is specifically designed for stripping. &uot;There is no place in the world where nudity is more expected than a strip club,&uot; he said.

Worke declined comment without his attorney present.

Tigue said he isn’t sure if the county will go through with the charges, but an arraignment is set for June 11 in Freeborn County.

The city of Myrtle is also gearing up for battle.

The council hired a city attorney to represent them in any possible cases dealing with the club. Phil Kohl, of Albert Lea’s Christianson and Peterson law firm, was hired, but that wasn’t something the whole council wanted.

&uot;I feel that the city can only spend so much money defending this,&uot; Don Kral, a council member, said. &uot;We are a small city and only have so much money coming in. We have a big sewer project that is going to start this next spring. I just think we shouldn’t spend money on this.&uot;

Though he has been accused of supporting the business because of his position, he said he will hold to his stance. He said the business will have a tough time surviving in a town of 53, anyway.

&uot;After the novelty runs out there won’t be the traffic,&uot; he said. &uot;He doesn’t have a liquor license. I’m just not sure where will he have money to keep it running.&uot;

Myrtle Mayor Bernard Meinke agrees.

&uot;(Worke) has a right to own the business,&uot; Meinke said. &uot;If he gets out of line and I find out about it I will take care of it. But, overall, I try to work with everyone even if I don’t agree with them. Everyone has rights.&uot;

Neither councilors Ruth Schilling or Patty Lawson would comment for the story.

While the legal battle develops, the personal battles will go on. Kussatz says she doesn’t plan to change her stance on the issue..

&uot;It’s not something I want close to my home,&uot; she said. &uot;It’s tough enough to raise kids in this day and age.&uot;

Kussatz has three sons, two of whom live with her and her husband. One is 17; the other is 3.

&uot;My whole concern is the children,&uot; she said. &uot;My children can ride their bikes down the street now and see things they shouldn’t be seeing at that age.&uot;

She said she has seen the dancers from the club standing out front, scantily clothed, while children ride past on their bikes.

Kussatz and other citizens picketed the club last Saturday, and she said they plan to keep doing so.

She moved to Myrtle after living in the Twin Cities for a few years.

&uot;We moved here for the quiet, small-town life,&uot; she said. &uot;But with this club it’s not so quiet anymore.&uot;