304 Koreans, including former secretary general of the Korean Association Gwangho Ra, received permission to petition
Asked for “Koreans to participate in the public hearing in Doraville at 6:00 pm on the 23rd”
Koreans stepped forward to obtain a business license for Roman Holiday, a public bath run by a Korean proprietor in Doraville.
On the 12th, Kwang-ho Ra, former secretary general of the Korean Association of Atlanta, and three Korean women visited stores run by other ethnic groups and Korean in Doraville, and asked to sign petition for permission of a business license of Roman Holiday.
The Korean group, including Secretary General Ra, obtained signature consent from a total of 304 people over two days and delivered it to Doraville city council members on the 18th.
Ra, who led the signature campaign, said, “The owner have been preparing for the business with a large amount of money, and I came forward with the hope that business will continue normally.”
“There was the International Sauna in Doraville a long time ago. Roman Holliday can be seen as expanding this sauna and upgrading the facilities, but it is unfortunate that things seem to be twisted.”
The city of Doraville approved the business by issuing a massage parlor license and an occupational tax certificate (OTC) in March of last year for ‘Roman Holiday’, a sauna/spa establishment scheduled to be built in the International Plaza in the city.
In an interview with Global News Today in early December of last year, business owners Ms. Hur and Ms. Park explained the situation at the time, saying, “We finished all the interiors and facilities as instructed by the city and county authorities, and were waiting for the final inspection.”
Regarding the opening of a sauna in Doraville, which seemed to be going smoothly, the city of Doraville announced that it would hold a public hearing in December of last year, saying that the business license would be revoked because it operated under a temporary business license five months after permission was granted.
The city of Doraville cited the four receipts and the lock of the massage room as the reasons for pointing out that Roman Holiday was operating, and the owner, Ms. Hur said, “The receipt was only operated to test the register machine, and the lock of the massage room was not made separately, it was only attached to the doorknob,” she explained.
He also revealed, “Currently, all the walls of the massage room have been demolished and recreated as an open space.”
Mr. Lee with a lot of experience in urban development, said, “Since I-285 and I-85 meet, this Korean sauna for long-distance drivers and visitors has already existed in Doraville, which is visited by many out-of-state visitors. I think an upgraded sauna like Roman Holiday is a must-have.”
In addition, “If the city operates normally, the city’s tax revenue can be raised, residents as well as visitors from children to adults can take care of citizens’ health and provide rest, and there is a great advantage in benefiting unit-related businesses.” pointed out
The December public hearing notified by the city of Doraville was reviewed by the City Development Committee on the 4th after the schedule was changed, and on the 23rd (Mon) at 6:00 pm, the city council will resume the public hearing on this.
Attorney Alan Bergner, who is defending Roman Haliday, asked for support from Korean Americans, saying, “I hope that many Korean Americans will be interested and attend the public hearing.”
<By Eugene Lee>