Athens officials renew liquor licenses for strip clubs

ATHENS - After threatening to sue the county, two Athens strip clubs cited last year for violating the county&#39;s ban on nude dance clubs serving alcohol are getting new liquor licenses for 2002, the county&#39;s attorney said Thursday. <br> <br> Athens-Clarke County Attorney Ernie DePascale said he has recommended the licenses for the bars be renewed rather than give the clubs grounds for a new lawsuit. Two strip clubs, Toppers and Chelsea&#39;s, wrote the county this week of their intent to sue. <br> <br> Commissioners passed the alcohol ban in 1997, but it was not enforced until last month, when a judge revoked Toppers&#39; liquor license. <br> <br> The clubs have argued that the intent of the law was to eliminate nude dancing, which is considered free speech protected by the constitution.