*********************************************************** * ACTION ALERT - NATURIST ACTION COMMITTEE * *********************************************************** * Bob Morton, NAC Chairman/Exec Dir: ctnudists@aol.com * * Johanna Baxandall, NAC Bd Member: naturist@naturist.com * * Scootch Pankonin, Gov't Affairs: scootchdc@aol.com * * Dennis Kirkpatrick, Online Rep: nat@tiac.net * *********************************************************** DATE: October 24, 1999 STATE: Wisconsin SUBJECT: ASSEMBLY BILL 560 WISCONSIN LAWMAKER FILES ANTI-NUDITY BILL NAC URGES YOU TO ATTEND LEGISLATIVE HEARING, CONTACT LEGISLATORS Wisconsin Naturists: The Naturist Action Committee urgently needs your help in fighting a Wisconsin legislative bill that would create a statewide ban on nudity on all public lands managed by the Department of Natural Resources. At risk are skinny-dipping and nude sunbathing, not only in well known and traditional places like Mazo Beach, but also in remote and out-of-the-way places all across the state. Urged on by radical religious groups like Reverend Ralph Ovadal's Wisconsin Christians United, State Representative DuWayne Johnsrud has filed a bill that would strike at the very heart of Naturism. Johnsrud's Assembly Bill 560 seeks to criminalize simple non-lewd nudity on public lands across the state. Rep. Johnsrud has managed to have his bill assigned to the legislative committee that he chairs. As this Alert is being prepared, the text of the anti-nudity bill has not been released to the public. Despite this fact, Johnsrud has scheduled a public hearing on the measure. Rev. Ovadal has said that his followers will be there in force. This bill is on a fast track toward crushing your rights as a Naturist. NAC asks that you attend this extremely important hearing. You are encouraged to let your voice be heard on this crucial issue, but even if you don't plan to speak, your presence will show support for Naturists who rise to address the committee. WISCONSIN ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON NATURAL RESOURCES When: Wednesday, October 27, 1999 Where: Mazomanie Community Building Auditorium 9 Broadhead St. Mazomanie, WI Time: 2:00 p.m. [Note that the hearing will commence at 2 p.m. and continue until 9 p.m. or until all speakers have been heard, whichever comes first. That means that Johnsrud could cut the hearing short, perhaps even terminating it before many Naturists have a chance to show up. NAC asks you to arrive as early as possible. This is worth taking off a half day from work.] Both Ovadal and Johnsrud admit they've never been to Mazo Beach, yet they are eager to describe the peaceful Naturists there in the most vile manner. For example, families whose children accompany them to the clothing optional beach are accused by Rev. Ovadal of being child molesters and pornographers, despite the fact that DNR has never recorded a single incident there involving a child. The presence of Naturists at the committee hearing in Mazomanie will send a powerful message to Assembly that a group of responsible Wisconsin citizens is outraged that state lawmakers are being asked to criminalize the harmless tradition of skinny-dipping and nude sunbathing at remote locations across the state. Our opponents will attempt to demonize us and characterize mere nudity in the very worst ways. It's important that we Naturists be there to counteract the fierce campaign of deceit, intolerance and contempt being waged by Rev. Ovadal, Rep. Johnsrud and others. This may be our only chance to speak out before lawmakers in the Assembly vote on AB 560. Rep. Johnsrud is so sure of himself that he has already scheduled a floor vote on the bill in the Wisconsin Assembly to take place very shortly after the committee hearing. Your participation is essential, if we are to keep Naturists across Wisconsin from being railroaded by this bill. In addition to your presence at the hearing, NAC asks that you contact members of the Assembly Committee on Natural Resources. Their names, addresses and phone numbers are included with this Alert, along with tips on contacting them. Making these contacts is an important reinforcement to our strong showing at the hearing. The Naturist Action Committee is the political arm of The Naturist Society. It exists to advance the rights of naturists and protect them from exactly the type of challenge we're seeing in Wisconsin. A volunteer organization, NAC relies on the contributions of concerned nudists and naturists to sustain its operations. Won't you please consider donating generously to allow NAC to continue its efforts on your behalf? NAC PO Box 132 Oshkosh,, WI 54903 Thank you in advance for choosing to make a difference by becoming involved. Naturally, Bob Morton Chairman & Executive Director Naturist Action Committee P.S. The text of AB 560 had not yet been released to the public at the time this letter was sent. A temporary Internet web site has been set up, and the bill text will be posted there as soon as it becomes available. http://hometown.aol.com/ctnudists/myhomepage/index.html ---------- THINGS TO KNOW IF YOU SPEAK ú Rev. Ovadal and his followers will say that this proposed law address a threefold problem: 1) nudity, 2) improper use of tax money, and 3) damage to the environment. 1) Naturists are not the problem. Wisconsin law recognizes the nudity is not the same as lewd behavior. Existing state laws prohibit lewd behavior, but courts have affirmed that mere nudity is not lewd. At Mazo Beach, the Dane County prosecutor will not pursue cases of mere nudity but will vigorously prosecute arrests for lewdness. Naturists know the difference, Dane County knows the difference. It's time for Ovadal and others to learn. 2) As citizens and taxpayers, Wisconsin Naturists are entitled to consideration as legitimate users of state property. That use has never been disproportionally large. Along the more than 90 mile length of the Wisconsin River, for example, Naturists have traditionally used only a half mile or so. Naturists are responsible users who are not afraid to shoulder our own load. We have repeatedly suggested methods like parking fees to offset the expenses of managing clothing-optional sites, only to have those proposals turned down by DNR officials. 3) Despite its claims of damage to the environment at Mazo Beach, DNR has never bothered to conduct a proper study to determine the carrying capacity of the area. Claims of human encroachment on osprey nesting are likewise unfounded, since there are no osprey in the area. In fact, opinions expressed by DNR officials concerning overuse of Mazo Beach have merely been unsupported arm-waving. Nevertheless, Naturists have repeatedly shown their respect for the environment. Friends of Mazo Beach (FOMB) conducts trash and litter pickups, and Naturist groups have worked with DNR to alleviate even the perception of damage due to use by Naturists. ú Rep. Johnsrud and DNR will likely say that nude recreation sites on public property: 1) show higher incidences of crime than other areas, 2) prevent other users from using the area, 3) require greater funding than other areas. 1) DNR has presented no verifiable numbers to back the crime claim, and it has become just another empty assertion. When compared to other state-operated areas seeing equivalent levels use, the crime numbers at Mazo are lower. 2) The notion that clothing-optional use denies other users their recreational experience is pure fabrication. Naturists are relegated to the most out-of-the-way beaches, and many prefer it that way. In any case, Naturists use only a tiny fraction of Wisconsin's thousands of square miles of public lands. Even in clothing optional areas, there is no attempt to maintain exclusivity. All are welcome, regardless of their clothing or lack of it - that's the option. Rev. Ovadal will undoubtedly tell tales of how children from a Christian academy were "confronted" by nudists while paddling down the Wisconsin River near Mazo Beach. What Rev. Ovadal won't tell you is how the youngsters were coached on exactly where to steer their canoes. Anyone who paddles the Wisconsin knows that you can get close enough to see something in the clothing-optional area at Mazo only if you try to go there. 3) Success stories at clothing optional beaches across the country prove that well managed areas actually make money for the governmental entities that operate them. Prime examples are Haulover Beach in Dade County, Florida and Hippie Hollow in Travis County, Texas. Both are officially signed for clothing-optional use. Each generates a positive cash flow for its respective county and bring valuable spending of discretionary income to the area. ú Using the DNR-managed Mazomanie Unit of the Lower Wisconsin Waterway as an example, Rep. Johnsrud and DNR may attempt to point out that some DNR-managed lands were purchased from funds earmarked for other purposes, like hunting and fishing. Mazo is a particularly bad example for them to use, however, since DNR is unable to show exactly how, or with what funds, the Mazo unit was acquired. ú Rep. Johnsrud and his supporters will claim that nudity at the river's edge is inconsistent with natural views of river as mandated by the Lower Wisconsin Riverway Board. This is a particularly sore issue with Johnsrud, since some of his downstream constituents were apparently denied permission to erect flagpoles or paint their homes certain colors. Johnsrud has said that if those folks can't have their freedoms, then others shouldn't be allowed to have any, either. The fact is that assuming you can even see them from a canoe without making an intentional detour to do so, bare bodies are infinitely more "natural" than swimsuits or brightly colored Spandex and Lycra. ú The point will probably be lost on Rep. Johnsrud and other Republican members of the committee, but the Democratic Party of Dane County (DPDC) has passed a strongly worded resolution opposing DNR's attempts to drive clothing-optional users from public lands. DPDC particularly decried actions and attitudes by DNR public servants that reflect pressure and influence coming from religious groups attempting to manage the legal behavior of those outside their groups. TIPS ON CONTACTING COMMITTEE MEMBERS (A complete list of committee members and their contact information appears below) Writing, faxing or e-mailing... ú Time is critically short. NAC suggests that you fax or e-mail your comments. Letters sent by regular postal delivery may arrive too late. ú Be polite. No purpose is served by personal attacks. Stick to the issues. ú Give your name and address. Anonymous letters, faxes and e-mails are discarded. ú State your opposition to the bill. Be sure to mention its number: AB 560. ú Use your own words to give a brief summary of your reasons. Don't be lengthy here. ú Thank the committee member for the attention given to your letter and ask for a vote against AB 560. Telephoning... ú It's possible that the lawmaker will be unable to take your call personally. That's okay. The aide who handles your call is trained to report the pertinent information back to the elected official. ú Be prepared to give your name and address. Anonymous calls are disregarded. ú Be polite and straightforward. Avoid personal attacks. Stick to the issues. ú State your opposition to the bill. Be sure to mention its number: AB 560. DuWayne Johnsrud, Chairman District 96 - Republican Room 323 North State Capitol, P.O. Box 8952 Madison, WI 53708 TEL (608) 266-3534, (888) 534-0096 FAX (608) 266-7038 Rep.Johnsrud@legis.state.wi.us Scott L. Gunderson, Vice Chairman District 83- Republican Room 7 West, State Capitol P.O. Box 8952 Madison, WI 53708 TEL (608) 266-3363, (888) 534-0083 FAX (608) 266-7038 Rep.Gunderson@legis.state.wi.us Joseph W. Handrick District 34- Republican Room 21 North, State Capitol P.O. Box 8952 Madison, WI 53708 TEL (608) 266-7141 FAX (608) 282-3634 Rep.Handrick@legis.state.wi.us Neal J. Kedzie District 43 - Republican Room 307 North, State Capitol P.O. Box 8952 Madison, WI 53708 TEL (608) 266-9650 FAX (608) 266-7038 Rep.Kedzie@legis.state.wi.us Alvin R. Ott District 3 - Republican Room 318 North, State Capitol P.O. Box 8953 Madison, WI 53708-8953 TEL (608) 266-5831 FAX (608) 266-7038 Rep.Ott@legis.state.wi.us Mike Powers District 80 - Republican Room 125 West, State Capitol P.O. Box 8953 Madison, WI 53708 TEL (608) 266-1192 FAX (608) 266-7038 Rep.Powers@legis.state.wi.us David A. Brandemuehl District 49 - Republican Room 317 North, State Capitol P.O. Box 8952 Madison, WI 53708 TEL (608) 266-1170, (888) 872-0049 FAX (608) 266-7038 Rep.Brandemuehl@legis.state.wi.us Frank Boyle District 73 - Democrat Room 221 North, State Capitol P.O. Box 8952 Madison, WI 53708 TEL (608) 266-0640, (888) 534-0073 FAX (608) 266-7038 Rep.Boyle@legis.state.wi.us Mary Hubler District 75 - Democrat Room 119 North, State Capitol P.O. Box 8952 Madison, WI 53708 TEL (608) 266-2519, (888) 534-0075 FAX (608) 266-7038 Rep.Hubler@legis.state.wi.us Barbara Gronemus District 91 - Democrat Room 112 North, State Capitol P.O. Box 8952 Madison, WI53708 TEL (608) 266-7015, (888) 534-0091 FAX (608) 266-7038 Rep.Gronemus@legis.state.wi.us John W. Lehman District 62 - Democrat Room 303 West, State Capitol P.O. Box 8952 Madison, WI 53708 TEL (608) 266-0634 FAX (608) 266-7038 Rep.LehmanJ@legis.state.wi.us John P. Steinbrink District 65 - Democrat Room 307 West, State Capitol P.O. Box 8953 Madison, WI 53708 TEL (608) 266-0455 FAX (608) 266-7038 Rep.Steinbrink@legis.state.wi.us