Lawsuit Looms In Shannon Bar Debate

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(SHANNON, Ms) (WCBI) The Town of Shannon could be facing a federal lawsuit for not allowing a woman to reopen a gay bar in that community.

Tonight, the Board of Alderman refused the request by David Dinielli of the Southern Poverty Law Center to reconsider his client Pat Newton’s efforts to reopen her establishment known as O’Hara’s Bar. It operated in the town from 1994-to-1998. Not one Board member made a motion on Dinielli’s request. So a lawsuit appears likely.

Neither Shannon Mayor Ronnie Hallmark nor City Attorney Gary Carnathan wanted to discuss the situation due to the pending litigation. They told WCBI news that they might have comments after they review the complaint. Meanwhile 192 residents signed a petition expressing their opposition to Newton reopening the bar in Shannon.