Candidates in the Ames City Council and Mayoral races agree with the current council members’ feelings toward a possible expansion of Dangerous Curves, 111 Fifth St., to Campustown.

Ryan Doll, senior in political science and third ward candidate, said he would not like to see this establishment open at the planned location, 122 Welch Ave.

“Welch Avenue is a gateway to Iowa State and the main street for ISU students. This type of business would not be seen on the main street of any town,” he said. “To get young adults to take ownership in their town, we need to provide them a town and a main street that they can be proud of and take ownership of. This business does not provide that.”

Doll added that reworking the ordinance to control the location of businesses like Dangerous Curves is a good idea.

Mayoral candidate Ann Campbell said she also doesn’t want to see the type of business in Campustown and signed a petition containing 110 signatures of Ames residents protesting Dangerous Curves locating to Welch Avenue. The petition was passed around at her annual neighborhood meeting, she said.

“Frankly, as a kind of business, it is not something I as a citizen or a woman like, but on the same token I appreciate the need to operate within the realm of the law,” Campbell said. “My thoughts are neighborhood thoughts to keep Campustown as friendly a place as possible, and I’m not sure this business lends itself to that.”

Russ Cross, incumbent councilman running for the at-large seat, agreed with Campbell and said the City Council needs to receive more feedback from students.

“I’ve heard from a number of residents throughout Ames who are not supportive of this establishment in Campustown and I tend to share their views,” he said. “But it’s important that we hear from students and we carefully understand what the ordinances allow and not allow.”

Dan Rice, academic adviser for the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences and First Ward candidate, said more investigation needs to be done regarding lap dancing.

“The owner said there was lap dancing and that should be evidence enough. City Attorney John Klaus needs to do more research on the aspects against the code for the license to be issued. There should be enough secondary comments and data to deny the license,” he said.

Mayoral candidate Jon Shelness had a slightly different stance on the issue, but agreed that this kind of establishment could be harmful.

“One concern here is that they are very lopsided with the women on the stage and men in the crowd. We need to have equality in this type of thing with men dancing in Speedos or gay nights where men dance on men and women dance on women,” he said.

Shelness added that the council needs to discuss the issue further.