To Nude Beach (in Key West) or Not To Nude Beach…That Will Not Be The Ballot Question
Keep your suits on. After all the talk of a clothing-optional beach and a referendum on the Oct. 6 ballot, Key West City Commissioners unanimously killed the item at Tuesday’s meeting.
Commissioners said the lack of a specific site raised too many questions, calling it premature to begin the process of changing land-use rules to allow for designated “naturist” areas. They also said the proposed referendum could confuse voters.
“This is also not a proposal for Fantasy Fest. I want to end those comparisons,” Commissioner Clayton Lopez said. “I actually do support the naturists in their quest to find a place where they can go in comfort, but we have an obligation both to the naturists and to those who don’t want to be — excuse the pun — exposed to it.”
Interim Commissioner Joe Pais, who is filling out the term of Dan Kolhage, reminded commissioners of the long-gone businesses like Naked Lunch and Atlantic Shores and said that naturism may not be the economic draw supporters portray.
“They [the aforementioned businesses] failed. The thousands of people that are going to be here, they’re not going to be here,” Pais said. “We’re not going to trade our businesses for businesses that have already failed. Buy your own property. Start your own business.”
Mayoral candidate Sloan Bashinsky called out commissioners for not having the political courage to make a tough decision, rather than sending the nude beach issue to a non-binding referendum.
“You seven should have made the decision. That’s what you were elected to do,” Bashinsky said. “I will never pass the buck like that. That is weenie-ing out and I accuse you, Mr. Verge, of being a weenie.”
District I Commissioner Bill Verge laughed that off and joined the rest of the commission in killing the referendum.
City staff is working with commissioners to set up public workshops to discuss the idea of designated naturist beaches. For more information, go to www.kwfb.org .
Tags: Beaches
Naturist resorts and clubs are doing much better even during this recession, than non nude resorts here in Central Florida. Why not pick an area near Duval where you can run a test of financial and social viability? South Beach would be my recommendation, it is close to the old Atlantic Shores and has a restaurnat and bar close to the beach. There are a lot of Naturists, check out Orient Beach in the French West Indies and others. The Commissioners need a “Just Do It” bias!
The biggest problem is they are opposed by the many churches in KW, who think everyone should be in the sinking boat with them. I was once in that boat I realized that it was sinking and I abandon ship. What you have to ask yourself is. What do the tax exempt churches bring to the community table, besides problems. unless they want to match the millions of dollars that are brought in on tourism to keep the tax base low and feed the city and county coffers they need to sit back shut up and enjoy the free ride.
Blessings,
Rev. Tom XZander
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