For the parents:
Some general information about our place.
SECURITY:
A common question frequently asked by parents is "Can we drop off our child?"
The short answer is "Absolutely!"
Get a night out alone, save money on childcare, whatever your reason.
Our only requirements are that the child...
1. Be old enough to mind and take remedial care of themselves (8-9 yrs old?),
2. Understands the rules expected of them as explained to them by the parent,
3. A working phone number be left in case the child needs to be picked up earlier than planned.
Parents often feel MUCH better about our place after coming inside and getting the grand tour.
We strongly encourage this and welcome the opportunity to show you around at any time.
Some points of interest are listed here...
1. There aren't any "hidden corners" inside. We will NOT be a "make-out spot"
nor a place where kids come to do things they are not allowed to do at home.
2. We have installed a webcam for parents to "check-in" on children while they
are at work, at home, etc.
ONLY PARENTS LEAVING CHILDREN WILL BE GIVEN THE USERNAME & PASSWORD!
3. REGARDING LOCK-IN's: A LOCK-IN is an all night event from midnight to 9 am.
Yes, we LITERALLY lock the doors for various safety concerns.
1. Your child can not wander off nor use our place as an alibi to sneak elsewhere.
2. Less chance of robbery or other "late night" mischief.
Any planned LOCK-IN will have, at a minimum, two staff members present.
Staff will rotate sleeping to where at least one is awake at ALL times.
EVEN IF THE KEY IS LOST, in case of fire or emergency, children can still exit the
building through the door leading into the gated area out front. This area allows
safe distance from the building while still preventing children from entering traffic.
This door is only locked on the outside, people inside can always open it.
RUMOR HAS IT....
RUMOR #1 Okay, I freely admit it.... This one has me really ticked off.
Someone is going around telling people that we are selling drugs out of my place.
First time it happened, someone called the Sheriff's Dept. demanding they bust my doors in.
This wasn't nescessary simply because I not only welcome law enforcement at my place, I actively
beg for it!!! Any customer who isn't comfortable playing Rockband with a Sheriff Deputy next
seat over, probably isn't a customer I will miss too much.
In other words, they didn't kick my doors down BECAUSE THEY HAD ALREADY BEEN IN HERE, LOTS!!!
However, it seems the rumor continues. I may soon post a reward for information on who is
spreading these lies. If I find out who you are,
I WILL SUE YOU!!
So, for clarity's sake...
High Tech Heaven, The Ultimate Basement and any other businesses operating
under their roof, on their property, etc. does so under a very strict
DRUG-FREE; NO TOLERANCE POLICY!
Violaters will be asked to leave, dealers will be prosecuted!
If you honestly think it to be true, come in and ask for the FULL TOUR.
Every room. Surprise us, don't call first.
WE WELCOME THE OPPORTUNITY TO EASE YOUR MIND!!!
Want references on my character?
Bill Miller: Polk County Schools Superintendent
Aaron Greene: Polk County High School Principal
Sunnyview Fire and Rescue
Polk County Forest Service
Polk County Sheriff's Office
Polk County Government (any office)
Mill Spring Fire Dept.
Need More? Just ask around...
RUMOR #2 That I am an ex-cop.
Am I the only one who is amazed that these two rumors can even happen at the same time??
Well, of all the things I have ever been called... I feel rather honored at this one.
Short version is............ *drumroll*............ "No."
Never have been. But I have a deep respect for them ALL. I do have many, many friends who carry a badge.
Tryon Police, Columbus Police, Saluda Police, Polk County Sheriff's, NCSBI, etc.
So, if you see Sheriff cars at my place, do not be alarmed... They are just checking in on a friend.
RUMOR #3 Yet ANOTHER one... At least this one has an honest beginning... it just got blown out of proportion!
This rumor states something to the effect that we are showing pornographic materials in a back room.
As stated above, you may come inspect us at anytime.
For those interested, here is how this rumor started:
My son, John, is 18. As such, he was often my gaming go-to guy and he was invaluable to me as someone
who was able to open the place at 3pm while I was still at work at my day job for Polk County Government.
This also meant that he was often there alone from 3pm until 5:30 pm or so until I could get off work.
What do many a young man do while alone with the internet? He eventually went to a porn site.
I had used remote monitoring software to access that computer (looking for a document) which is how I
found out. TO BE CLEAR!!! He was only viewing porn on a computer! There wasn't any other indecent
behavior of ANY kind going on.
Even though he was my son, even though he knew video games better than anyone else I had, even though
he was the only one I had that could reliably open my store at 3pm on weekdays...
I sent him home. He is now only ever used as a last resort. He has been banned/locked out of any computer
at my place. He is never left there unsupervised unless I have no other options (but he still is denied internet
access).
No one saw it and most importantly, no customers ever saw anything. It SHOULD HAVE BEEN a non-issue.
However, a volunteer helping us run things told a friend (or twenty) about why John was fired.
Now, weeks later, I hear this new rumor and it truly saddens me.
My son made a poor decision. He was immediately removed to a very strict restricted status. He also already
feels terrible about it and did NOT need this to make him feel worse.
It was a very poor lack of judgement on his part. The rest of the rumor is rediculous.