The American Family Association of Pennsylvania, a faith-based interest group in Franklin, has criticized Mercer County District Attorney James P. Epstein for his "wishy washy" stance on a hotly debated issue in West Salem Township.

At the center of the debate is Headliners, a strip club on state Route 18. In the May 20 primary, voters passed a referendum banning so-called bottle clubs. That would include Headliners.

The effort was organized by the Rev. James Chapin, pastor of Living Word Christian Center in West Salem, with the help of the Franklin-based organization.

Diane Gramley, AFA director, sent a release to various newspapers in Pennsylvania, criticizing Epstein's remarks in a story published July 20 in The Herald.