Group Wants To Do Key West Beach In The Buff

By: Steve Huston

Personal note:

Express your concern. Let Key West City Commissioners, Mayor and City Manager know your thoughts regarding a nude beach. It’s time that some of these commissioners have a wake up call from people like you who recognize the importance of time-honored standards of decency and civility.

KEY WEST (CBS4)

A second nude beach is one step closer to coming to South Florida. Tuesday night commissioners in Key West voted 4 to 2 to allow the nude beach initiative to go to a public vote. It was the first step in having people vote on the issue in the fall.

At the commission meeting almost a dozen advocates of the measure took their three minutes to persuade the lawmakers to just pass the measure without a public vote.

“Give us a chance for one year, because it is going to work out,” said one citizen who took the microphone.

Creating a clothing optional beach was a passionate issue that was debated by the people and the commissioners themselves. “Over the past week, I have had three friends lose jobs, which I haven’t seen happen here,” said one voter who also defended passing the ordinance.

Job losses are occurring in Key West due to a falling tourism economy, and people feel a nude beach will not only make some locals happy, but also draws a type of tourist which now spends their cash elsewhere.

So it’s a mixed victory for naturists, who left disappointed because while the commission voted 4 to 2 to send it to a referendum, advocates wanted the commissioners to just pass the item. Instead they have to educate 20,000 voters on the matter.

“We believe we can win a referendum, but it is going to take a lot of money, a lot of effort and a lot of time,” said Alan Leigh.

Naturists who attended the meeting felt as though commissioners should have approved the plan themselves. “When the city adopted a dog park, they didn’t put that to a referendum, when they built a Bacci Court, they did not put that to a referendum, but when we want a beach, they want to go to referendum,” said Leigh.

A naturist destination brings in cash. The nudist area at Haullover Beach in Miami-Dade County brings in millions of dollars, which during a tough economy can help, but mostly naturists want a legit space down in Key West.

“If you don’t have a designated area, we can’t police it and take care of it. We don’t want that,” said Tracy Leigh.

After the second reading, the Nude Beach Ordinance will go to a referendum October 6th.
http://cbs4.com/local/Key.West.Nude.2.1094474.html

Sample letter:

To whom it may concern:

I don’t live in your community but I do take vacations.  I have money to spend.  CBS4 in your area reports that you are giving serious consideration to permitting a nude beach.

Let me be clear. Neither I nor my family will come to Key West to vacation or participate in a conference, etc., if you vote in a nude beach in Key West.

I urge you to stand up and be counted for decency, for families and for children.

Sincerely,

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Contact:

Mayor
McPherson, Morgan  305-809-3840 Mayor@keywestcity.com

City Manager
Scholl, Jim  305-809-3888 jscholl@keywestcity.com

City Commissioners

Gibson, Barry  District 4   305-809-3841 bgibson@keywestcity.com
Johnston, Teri District 5   305-809-3841 johnston@keywestcity.com
Lopez, Clayton District 6   305-294-8729 clopez@keywestcity.com
Pais, Joe District 3   305-809-3844 jpais@keywestcity.com
Rossi, Mark District 2   305-296-7050 mrossi@keywestcity.com
Verge, Bill District 1   305-809-3844 Bverge@keywestcity.com

Mailing address for the above:

City of Key West
525 Angela Street
Key West FL 33040
305-809-3888

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Nearly $3,000 have been raised at this date.  $12,000 yet needed to reach the goal!

Do you stand with us and have never given a gift? Right now would be a great time!!!! It will be matched dollar for dollar.

1.  it must be new money–from someone who hasn’t given in 2008 or 2009.   Or, any amount given in 2009 which was more than what someone gave in 2008.  E.g. donor gives $400 in 2008 but cumulatively gives $1000 in 2009 by the end of the match period, we will match $600
2.  we will match up to $15,000
3.  the funds must be received between June 15 and September 30.

https://secure4.afo.net/ada/main.php?f=donate/display9
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American Decency Association
Bill Johnson, President
P.O. Box 202
Fremont, MI 49412
ph: 231-924-4050
https://americandecency.org
http://www.twitter.com/billwjohnson

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