Hernando Co FL



	NAC Action Alert Hernando County, Florida April 21, 2002

		Click here for more information on the proposed Hernando County anti-nudity ordinance.

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******************************************************************** NATURIST ACTION COMMITTEE ACTION ALERT ****************************************************************** http://www.naturistsociety.com/NAC/ ****************************************************************** DATE : April 21, 2002 SUBJECT: Hernando County, Florida TO : All Naturists Dear Naturist: The County Commissioners of Hernando County, Florida, are considering a proposal for a drastic and unnecessary anti-nudity ordinance that threatens naturists directly. There will be a public hearing on the measure Tuesday, April 23, 2002. The Naturist Action Committee strongly urges naturists to attend the meeting to make speak against the proposal and to convey their outrage and opposition by their presence. ATTEND THE PUBLIC HEARING The public hearing is part of a day-long regular meeting of the county commissioners. The hearing on this issue begins at 5:01 p.m. The location is the John Law Ayers Room on the first floor of the Government Center: Hernando County Government Center (Courthouse) 20 N. Main St. Brooksville FL 34601 NAC encourages you to express your opposition to this proposed ordinance by addressing the Board of Commissioners at the hearing. But whether you choose to speak or not, your presence at the hearing will send a strong message to Hernando County lawmakers. The hearing will begin at 5:01p.m. Please arrive about a half hour early to assure that you have a place to sit. If you intend to speak, check with the clerk or secretary for proper procedures for being recognized. A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE ISSUE On March 12, 2002, Reverend Mike Frazier of Landmark Baptist Church in Brooksville complained to the Board of Commissioners that he had witnessed a "nearly naked male stripper" outside Miss Kitty's Hilltop Lounge. Frazier says he was driving past the establishment at 11:30 at night on his way home from Bible study. According to Frazier, the individual he spotted had "his rear end totally exposed." Frazier's official letter of complaint to the commissioners expressed his fear that Hernando County was on the path to becoming just like neighboring Pasco, Pinellas and Hillsborough Counties. County Attorney Garth Coller responded that Miss Kitty's Hilltop Lounge was located in the City of Brooksville, in a location where the County has no jurisdiction regarding the alleged activities. Coller assured the Board that the county's existing Nude Dancing and Exhibition Ordinance would prohibit the behavior outlined in Rev. Frazier's complaint. Even though the county's existing ordinance was acknowledged by the county's own attorney as being adequate, his office immediately began drafting something far more drastic. The resulting proposed anti-nudity ordinance would affect adult entertainment establishments, but much of it is targeted directly at naturists and nudists. CONTACT THE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS NAC encourages ALL NATURISTS to contact the five Hernando County Commissioners. County planners have said they value tourism, and so it's appropriate for all naturists, residents of the county or not, to register their opinions. COMMISSIONERS AND THEIR E-MAIL ADDRESSES DISTRICT 1 Commissioner Mary E. "Betty" Whitehouse bwhitehouse@co.hernando.fl.us DISTRICT 2 Commissioner Hannah M. "Nancy" Robinson Chair, Board of Commissioners nancyR@co.hernando.fl.us DISTRICT 3 Commissioner Diane Rowden drowden@co.hernando.fl.us DISTRICT 4 Commissioner Christopher Kingsley christopherk@co.hernando.fl.us DISTRICT 5 Commissioner Mary Aiken maiken@co.hernando.fl.us WRITE: Since time is short, faxing or e-mailing your comments is the only way to get them to the Hernando County Commissioners on time. Keep your remarks brief and polite. Say very clearly that you oppose proposed anti-nudity ordinance and wish the commissioner to vote against it. If you are a Hernando constituent of the lawmaker to whom you are writing, please say so. Sign your fax or e-mail. Unsigned correspondence is often simply discarded. If you choose to fax your comments, send all faxes to (352) 754-4477. Send a separate correspondence for each commissioner. County staff will not make copies of your fax for distribution and commissioners cannot be expected to pass a single fax from one to another. CALL: The single switchboard number for all commissioners is (352) 754-4000. Call this number and ask to speak to the commissioner or an aide. Keep your remarks brief and polite. When you are communicating by phone, always give your name. Anonymous calls are discounted. You will probably find that the commissioner is unavailable. Politely give your information to the aide, who is trained to report it to the lawmaker. Do not expect return calls from lawmakers. If you are a Hernando county resident, please say so. Be sure to say clearly and specifically that you oppose the proposed anti-nudity ordinance and wish the commissioner to vote against it. MORE INFORMATION For those who intend to speak at the hearing or who would like more information should visit the web site of the Naturist Action Committee. Click here to go there immediately. www.naturistsociety.com/NAC For specific information on the Hernando County situation, click on "Local Issues," then select: "FLORIDA, Hernando County." The page includes documents and suggested points to make at the hear or in your contacts with county commissioners. PLEASE CONTRIBUTE TO NAC The Naturist Action Committee is the nonprofit volunteer political adjunct to The Naturist Society. NAC's mission is to advance and protect the rights of naturists throughout North America. The organization relies entirely on voluntary donations from concerned naturists to allow it to continue its important operations. Won't you please help NAC in this crucial fight? Your contribution of any size is greatly appreciated. You may mail your donation to: NAC P.O. Box 132 Oshkosh, WI 54903 Call (920) 426-5009 to donate by phone using your MasterCard or Visa. Thank you for choosing to make a difference!** Naturally, Dick Hawkesworth Board Member Naturist Action Committee ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Naturist Action Committee (NAC) - PO Box 132, Oshkosh, WI 54903 Executive Dir. Bob Morton - <ctnudists@aol.com> Board Member Dick Hawkesworth - <hawkeye@bigfoot.com> Online Rep. Dennis Kirkpatrick - <naturist@sunclad.com> ---------------------------------------------------------------------- \| Return to top \| Return to Current NAC Alerts \| Return to NAC Home Page