Scannell v. Browne (x3) heats up

The third race between attorneys Chris Browne, a Republican from Rockville Centre who is challenging incumbent, seven-time county legislator Joe Scannell, a Democrat from Baldwin, took a provocative turn this week when the Nassau County Democratic Club sent out a mailing asserting that in June 2010, Browne, in his role on the Town of Hempstead Board of Zoning Appeals, voted to approve construction of a strip club in Wantagh.

The letter alleged that Browne and fellow board members “issued a special-use permit” for the Mile High Club, a facility to be operated by a William Dean, who also runs Billy Dean’s Showtime Café in Bellmore. The letter says the Showtime Café features “exotic nightly events such as Foxy Boxing and Female Hot Oil Wrestling,” and also asserts there is “some type of connection between Mr. Browne and the side representing Mr. Dean.”

Browne has vehemently challenged the suggestion that he and his fellow board members voted to approve a strip club. He insisted on more than one occasion this week that the board approved a “license for a nightclub,” only, and that it specifically included language in the permit prohibiting “topless” or “bottomless” entertainment.

In a written statement, Browne said, “In the past several days, I have been shocked and saddened by the conduct of Joe Scannell's campaign. Mr. Scannell and his supporters have accused me of voting to approve a ‘strip club’ as a member of the Town Zoning Board of Appeals. This charge is outrageous and completely false.

“As the records of the Zoning Board reflect, I took no part in the original vote on the matter in question, as I was not present at the time that the Board voted on the matter. Moreover, those members of the Board who did vote did not approve a ‘strip club’ and, in fact, expressly prohibited adult entertainment at the site. Later, after listening to the concerns of the local community, I and the other members of the Board voted to entirely rescind the previous limited grant. The applicant is now fighting the case in court.”