Strip club owners got their wish: The referendum to overturn Nanny Nickels' anti-ecdysiast laws will be on the ballot in November, not September. At least, so says the PI:

The City Council settled the question Monday of when the proposal should go to voters -- not whether it should. That was decided for politicians some time ago when the strip-club industry collected sufficient petition signatures to challenge new rules banning lap dances and dim lighting in clubs.

Referendum backers have raised about $600,000 for their campaign from Seattle club owners. Mayor Greg Nickels and some council members strongly oppose the measure.

Saving the lap dance and keeping the lights at sub-Walgreens levels is a good first step, of course. But even if the ballot passes in November (as we think it should), that won't magically create a good strip club in this city. As we've mentioned before, there are no good strip clubs in Seattle. That guy who wants to open the Shangri-La doesn't sound like he's going to be the creative force that actually gives us one, either. Anyone want to step up to the plate and open a club that's actually, you know, fun?