web1_cusat-election-photo-2015.jpg

Hazleton mayor rejects realty transfer tax, leaving budget in limbo

web1_119812221-75da779444024080a647b596dc6741e5.jpg

Gunman kills at least 17 people at Florida high school

<p>ASHLEY &#8212; There will be no more concerts at Bentley&#8217;s Nightclub, at least for the foreseeable future, the venue&#8217;s manager and co-owner said in an exclusive interview on Wednesday.</p><p>Coleen M. Burns added that she also has had conversations with borough police about improving safety in the wake of a reported shooting in a parking lot hours after the club on Route 309 closed Sunday morning.</p><p>&#8220;We have cancelled all shows,&#8221; Burns said during a telephone conversation with the Times Leader.</p><p><a href="https://www.timesleader.com/news/692531/ashley-police-investigating-shooting-at-bentleys#/" target="_blank">As reported on Sunday</a>, Ashley Police Chief David Fedorczyk released a statement indicating that two groups of individuals reportedly began firing at each other in the venue&#8217;s parking lot shortly before 5 a.m. then quickly dispersed.</p><p>A small amount of blood was found in the area, leading police to believe that at least one person was injured in the fracas. Multiple shell casings also were discovered at the scene.</p><p>Reports in another media outlet this week indicated Fedorczyk believed the participants may have had gang ties. Multiple efforts by the Times Leader since Monday to speak with Fedorczyk and confirm those reports have been unsuccessful.</p><p>Burns stressed that the incident took place outdoors at the edge of a parking lot, beyond the range of security cameras and nearly two hours after Bentley&#8217;s had closed its doors.</p><p>&#8220;It was five in the morning. Our place wasn&#8217;t open,&#8221; Burns said. &#8220;How do I know where where these people came from?&#8221;</p><p>Bentley&#8217;s, which had been closed for several years, reopened in December, Burns said.</p><p>Luzerne County Recorder of Deeds filings show that the property was purchased in July 2017 by a limited-liability group called Colbco, LLC, with Burns identified as a manager. Burns said Wednesday that she is a managing partner in Colbco. </p><p>The re-opened facility hosts events such as weddings and private parties, she said. But Bentley&#8217;s also has been hosting rap and hip-hop concerts on Friday and Saturday nights, and that led to some controversy even before Sunday&#8217;s alleged gunfire.</p><p>On Friday night, for example, <a href="https://www.timesleader.com/news/691317/locals-bristle-at-thought-of-shows-by-rapper-with-child-sex-charges" target="_blank">the venue hosted New York City rapper Teka$hi 6ix9ine, whose real name is Daniel Hernandez</a>. The 21-year-old is scheduled to be sentenced April 10 in New York for his role in videos featuring a 13-year-old girl performing a sex act on another male.</p><p>Readers and residents took to comment boards and social media to decry Bentley&#8217;s decision to book Hernandez, but his concert apparently proceeded without incident.</p><p>Burns said she didn&#8217;t have concerns about the types of acts Bentley&#8217;s has been hosting, nor does she believe there is any gang activity at the business.</p><p>&#8220;It&#8217;s not the clientele we&#8217;re catering to,&#8221; Burns said. &#8220;How do you even know what a gang member looks like?&#8221;</p><p>Bentley&#8217;s clearly has an idea how it wants clientele to dress, however.</p><p>On Saturday afternoon, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/BentleysNightClub/" target="_blank">the venue&#8217;s facebook page</a>, dubbed Bentley&#8217;s Nightclub 1.0, carried a post reminding patrons that Detroit-based rapper and singer-songwriter Dej Loaf would be performing that evening.</p><p>&#8220;Just a reminder to everyone this is a GROWN AND SEXY event,&#8221; the post states, adding: &#8220;dress code is strictly enforced no hoodies no baggy clothes no flagging if you are not dressed appropriately for the event you will be turned away at the door &#8230; .&#8221;</p><p>To maintain dress codes and proper behavior inside, Bentley&#8217;s has private security, Burns said. The business also has been paying for outside police protection until closing time at 3 a.m., she added &#8212; something Burns said &#8220;is not cheap.&#8221;</p><p>And, as Burns pointed out, Sunday&#8217;s incident was both outside and took place well after the venue closed.</p><p>Burns said she is, however, open to paying for added police protection if and when concerts resume &#8212; perhaps until 3:30 a.m., she added, by which time all patrons should be off the property.</p><p>For now, however, no upcoming concerts are listed on Bentley&#8217;s Facebook page. Burns said that backing out of pre-booked shows could result in financial penalties for the business, but she believes it is the right thing to do.</p><p>&#8220;I&#8217;m an events planner &#8212; weddings and graduations,&#8221; she said.</p><style>
.neFileBlock {
	margin-bottom: 20px;
}
.neFileBlock p {
	margin: 0px 0px 0px 0px;
}
.neFileBlock .neFile {
	border-bottom: 1px dotted #aaa;
	padding-bottom: 5px;
	padding-top: 10px;
}
.neFileBlock .neCaption {
	font-size: 85%;
}
</style>
<div class='neFileBlock'>
<div class="neFile"><img class="neImage" src="https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/web1_bentleys.jpg">
<div class="neCaption">Bentley&#8217;s, a nightclub and event venue in Ashley, has been under media scrutiny since a reported shooting early Sunday. </div></div><div class="metaInfo"><photo0>https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/web1_bentleys.jpg</photo0><caption0>Bentley&#8217;s, a nightclub and event venue in Ashley, has been under media scrutiny since a reported shooting early Sunday. </caption0><photoCredit0>Courtesy Fox 56 </photoCredit0></div></div>
<div class="metaInfo"><bylineMeta><p>By Roger DuPuis</p><p>rdupuis@www.timesleader.com</p></bylineMeta></div>

Bentley’s cancels shows, pledges safety after alleged shooting