City Council Plans to Zone Abortion Clinic Out of Business
By Editorial Staff
Published May 2008
Melbourne is considering rewriting its zoning laws and one of the items on the agenda is to rezone abortion clinics so that it would be difficult for the Aware Woman abortion clinic to relocate. The state of Florida has definite plans to widen U.S. 1 north of Aurora Road to at least Post Road. This widening will take out the Aware Woman abortion clinic. However, the date that this will happen is undetermined.
Before the Aware Woman abortion clinic tries to relocate, it is desirable to change the Melbourne City Code to recognize abortion clinics as the undesirable businesses that they are. Says Christians for Life spokesman, Meredith Raney, “To me they are more undesirable than a nuclear power plant and I don’t believe the Melbourne City code will allow a nuclear power plant.”
The State of Florida has set precedent in this area by giving abortion clinics their own separate chapter, Chapter 390, in the Florida Statutes separate from all other medical facilities. “If the State of Florida can treat them separately, then so can the cities,” reasoned Raney.
Mayor Ed Buckley indicated while attending the annual “Run for Life” in Melbourne that he is “pro-life” and might support such a measure.
Melbourne Councilman Matthew Carroll (District 2) said, “I do not believe that rezoning should be the primary way to bring about political or religious victories, nor do I feel that the city code should be a primary battleground for divisive issues. Yet by the same token, I do believe there is a need for updating the city code regarding abortion clinics, since the code presently does not recognize the special nature of these businesses and their accompanying environment.”
In a letter addressed “Dear Pro-Life Friend” sent via email, Melbourne City Councilman, Steve Beltz (District 1) wrote: “As a new City Councilman in Melbourne, Florida (home of the infamous Aware Woman clinic), I would appreciate any information on how other cities (especially in Florida) have enacted zoning, taxing, or operational regulations effecting abortion providers. Also, laws regulating (or requiring disclosure of) staff, safety, equipment, records, facilities, or insurance could be beneficial.”
If you don’t live in Melbourne, take this idea to your own city councilman or county commissioner, because if they can’t locate in Melbourne, they will try to locate somewhere else.
If you are interested in joining a citizen’s committee which will make recommendations to the City Council, contact: Steve Beltz, 1965 Player Circle N., Melbourne, FL 32935. Phone: (407) 259-0386, Email: srb@juno.com
Pornography Outlet Under Scrutiny by City of Melbourne
Exxpressions is a pornography outlet (no one under 18 admitted) presently located in historic downtown Eau Gallie by the post office. The city has investigated Exxpressions, and will check up on them again as they prepare to move to Sarno Road on April 1 to locate near to a city park there. The issue is, are they adult entertainment or not? If they are, then they would not be allowed to operate in certain areas. Exxpressions claims that less than 10% of their business is in pornographic videos, therefore they fall outside of the adult entertainment codes. The 10% limit allows businesses like “16,000 Videos” to trade in X-rated movies without being considered “adult.”
The business, Exxpressions, is located at 720 St. Clair Street and is licensed in conjunction with the pawn shop also located at this address. When the occupational license was issued to Mr. Dana Ferrell for this business, the city explained to him the city code requirements that only allow him to have 10% of his total business to be in adult related materials (videos, books, etc.). Chapter 2.5, Section 2.5-6 explains that a retail store must do more than 10% of their total gross sales in adult paraphernalia to be considered and “adult store” and thus regulated by our adult entertainment code. Mr. Ferrell stated that he would not be doing more than 10% of his business in adult sales.
Of course, if they were chiefly a pornography outlet, they would be wise to avoid city regulations by putting a bunch of retail goods for sale in the store, and to let the books reflect less than 10% of the sales are in adult videos. The Christian Coalition is currently attempting to ascertain whether or not Exxpressions is in compliance with the 10% law.
Forerunner - Home » Pass The Word » Pass The Word - Spring 1997
Discuss this article
The Real Jesus: A Defense of the Historicity and Divinity of Christ (DVD)
Who is the Real Jesus?
Ever since the dawn of modern rationalism, skeptics have sought to use textual criticism, archeology and historical reconstructions to uncover the “historical Jesus” — a wise teacher who said many wonderful things, but fulfilled no prophecies, performed no miracles and certainly did not rise from the dead in triumph over sin.
Over the past 100 years, however, startling discoveries in biblical archeology and scholarship have all but vanquished the faulty assumptions of these doubting modernists. Regrettably, these discoveries have often been ignored by the skeptics as well as by the popular media. As a result, the liberal view still holds sway in universities and impacts the culture and even much of the church.
This presentation explodes the myths of these critics and the movies, books and television programs that have popularized their views.
Presented in ten parts — perfect for individual, family and classroom study — viewers will be challenged to go deeper in their knowledge of Christ in order to be able to defend their faith and present the truth to a skeptical modern world – that the Jesus of the Gospels is the Jesus of history — “the same yesterday, today and forever” (Hebrews 13:8). He is the real Jesus.
Speakers include: George Grant, Ted Baehr, Stephen Mansfield, Raymond Ortlund, Phil Kayser, David Lutzweiler, Jay Grimstead, J.P. Holding, and Eric Holmberg.
Ten parts, over two hours of instruction!
Running Time: 130 minutes
$19.95 — ORDER NOW!
Click here for more information
Amazing Grace: The History and Theology of Calvinism (DVD)
Over four hours of instruction!
Just what is “Calvinism?” Does this teaching make man a deterministic robot and God the author of sin? What about free will? If the church accepts Calvinism, won’t evangelism be stifled, perhaps even extinguished? How can we balance God’s sovereignty and man’s responsibility? What are the differences between historic Calvinism and hyper-Calvinism? Why did men like Augustine, Luther, Calvin, Spurgeon, Whitefield, Edwards and a host of renowned Protestant evangelists embrace the teaching of predestination and election and deny free will theology?
This is the first video documentary that answers these and other related questions. Hosted by Eric Holmberg, this fascinating three-part, four-hour presentation is detailed enough so as to not gloss over the controversy. At the same time, it is broken up into ten “Sunday-school-sized” sections to make the rich content manageable and accessible for the average viewer.
$19.95 — ORDER NOW!
Click here for more information
God's Law and Society (DVD)
Download the Free on-line Study Guide.
God’s Law and Society powerfully presents a comprehensive worldview based upon the ethical system found in the Law of God.
Speakers include: R.J. Rushdoony, George Grant, Howard Phillips, R.C. Sproul Jr., Ken Gentry, Gary DeMar, Jay Grimstead, Steven Schlissel, Andrew Sandlin, Eric Holmberg, and more!
Sixteen Christian leaders and scholars answer some of the most common questions and misconceptions related to this volatile issue:
1. Are we under Law or under Grace?
2. Does the Old Testament Law apply today?
3. Can we legislate morality?
4. What are the biblical foundations of government?
5. Was America founded as a Christian nation?
6. What about the separation of Church and State?
7. Is neutrality a myth?
8. What about non-Christians and the Law of God?
9. Would there be “freedom” in a Christian republic?
10. What would a “Christian America” look like?
Perfect for group instruction as well as personal Bible study.
Ten parts, over four hours of instruction!
Running Time: 240 minutes
Watch over 60 streaming videos from God’s Law and Society at:
The Second American Revolution.
$19.95 — ORDER NOW!
Click here for more information
The Beast of Revelation: Identified (DVD)
Who is the dreaded beast of Revelation?
Now at last, a plausible candidate for this personification of evil incarnate has been identified (or re-identified). Ken Gentry’s insightful analysis of scripture and history is likely to revolutionize your understanding of the book of Revelation — and even more importantly — amplify and energize your entire Christian worldview!
Historical footage and other graphics are used to illustrate the lecture Dr. Gentry presented at the 1999 Ligonier Conference in Orlando, Florida. It is followed by a one-hour question and answer session addressing the key concerns and objections typically raised in response to his position. This presentation also features an introduction that touches on not only the confusion and controversy surrounding this issue — but just why it may well be one of the most significant issues facing the Church today.
Ideal for group meetings, personal Bible study — for anyone who wants to understand the historical context of John’s famous letter “… to the seven churches which are in Asia.” (Revelation 1:4)
Running Time: 145 minutes
$17.95 — ORDER NOW!
