NAC Action Alert - Key West, Florida
ANM Mod
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NATURIST ACTION COMMITTEE
ACTION ALERT
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http://www.naturistaction.org
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Copyright 2009 by the Naturist Action Committee, which is responsible
for its content. Permission is granted for the posting, forwarding or
redistribution of this message, provided that it is reproduced in its
entirety and without alteration.
DATE : July 19, 2009
SUBJECT: Florida: Key West
TO : Naturists and other concerned citizens
Dear Naturist,
Together with local naturist groups, the Naturist Action Committee is
asking for your immediate action on an important matter in Florida.
With permission and by request, this NAC Action Alert follows (and is
largely taken from) a similar alert released by South Florida Free
Beaches/Florida Naturist Association, B.E.A.C.H.E.S. Foundation
Institute and the Florida Keys Free Beaches Committee.
NAC asks that you email and/or fax a letter immediately to Key West
city officials, requesting designation of a clothing-optional beach in
the City of Key West. Details follow.
BRIEF BACKGROUND
South Florida Free Beaches (SFFB)/Florida Naturist Association (FNA),
B.E.A.C.H.E.S. Foundation Institute and the Florida Keys Free Beaches
Committee have been working to establish a designated
clothing-optional naturist family beach in Key West, a European-style
facility in the tradition of Haulover Beach. The selected section of
beach is located at the east end of Smather's Beach.
For the past several months, the local naturist team has met with
members of the county and city commissions, the city manager, and
other community leaders, providing them with information required to
make an educated and informed decision. Comparative information shows
an economic impact of about $900 million annually with 2008 parking
revenues of $1,770,834 from Haulover's clothing-optional beach.
On Tuesday, July 7th, naturist leaders spoke before the Key West City
Commission, presenting the economic impact that would be the projected
result of a designated naturist beach.
CURRENT STATUS
The Key West City Commission is composed of six commissioners and a
mayor. The mayor votes when there is a tie vote of the commission.
Naturists have three firm votes in favor of a designated
clothing-optional beach. The mayor has stated he would vote against a
designated beach if there is a tie vote, even though recent local
Florida Keys polls have been favorable to a designated naturist beach.
This coming Tuesday, July 21, City Commissioner Bill Verge intends to
offer a resolution that would place the issue of a designated naturist
beach on the ballot for an October referendum vote, in which the
citizens of Key West would cast their ballots directly on the issue.
An unfavorable referendum vote would have serious delaying
consequences. The strategy of Commissioner Verge is to preempt the
City Commission with a vote of the people, forestalling the
Commission's future consideration of a designated beach.
Some Commissioners are already concerned that a Commission vote in
favor of a designated beach will result in a church-sponsored backlash
among registered voters. However, there are other ways to facilitate a
clothing-optional beach without requiring Commissioners to vote
directly for the issue. One alternate path includes a carefully
crafted revision of the City's existing anti-nudity code.
NATURIST POSITION
This issue does not require a voter referendum. Commissioners are
elected to make the tough decisions, and this decision is not as
difficult as many others. The establishment of a clothing-optional
beach would not even require the expenditure of city money.
Naturists have the support of the Lodging Association, the Hotel
Association, the Business Guild and most members of the Chamber of
Commerce, as well as the support of local media.
Key West greatly values visitors and the city relies on the tourist
trade. Naturists who send their E-mailed comments immediately to the
City Commissioners will create additional awareness and help affirm
the idea that naturists and others will spend money in Key West if
they have a designated naturist beach to visit.
WHAT IS NAC ASKING YOU TO DO?
The Naturist Action Committee is asking you to do just ONE thing:
1) Immediately send your comments by e-mail, supporting a
clothing-optional beach in Key West. Send your E-mail
to Key West's mayor and city manager, to members of
the Key West City Commission and to two important
local agencies.
WHO SHOULD WRITE?
NAC is asking ALL NATURISTS and other concerned individuals to write,
regardless of your residence. Key West recognizes the value of
attention (and dollars) from tourists and other visitors.
WHOM TO CONTACT
Time is short. Please e-mail your comments immediately to:
Mayor Morgan McPherson - ma...@keywestcity.com
Fax: 305-809-3886
Commissioner Bill Verge - Bve...@keywestcity.com
Fax: 305-809-3886
Commissioner Mark Rossi mro...@keywestcity.com
Fax: 305-809-3886
Commissioner Barry Gibson - bfgi...@keywestcity.com
Fax: 305-809-3886
Commissioner Teri Johnston - john...@keywestcity.com
Fax: 305-809-3886
Commissioner Clayton Lopez - clo...@keywestcity.com
Fax: 305-809-3886
Commissioner Joe Pais - jp...@keywestcity.com
Fax: 305-809-3886
City Mgr. Jim Scholl - jsc...@keywestcity.com
Fax: 305-809-3771
Tourist Development Council (TDC) - rese...@fla-keys.com
Fax: 305-296-0788
Keys Tourism Agency - webe...@fla-keys.com
NAC would enjoy the opportunity to read your notes. Please send a copy
to:
NAC
P.O. Box 132
Oshkosh, WI 54903
flk...@naturistaction.org
WHAT TO SAY?
Here are some suggested points you may wish to make:
1. Identify yourself. Anonymous correspondence is often
disregarded. If you are a past or prospective visitor
to Key West, please say so prominently.
2. Be brief and polite.
3. Request that the commissioners themselves vote on the
issue and NOT refer it to a ballot referendum.
4. Remind the Commissioners that you would visit Key West
if it had a naturist beach. Skinny-dipping and nude
sunbathing are valid recreational choices.
5. Your vacation dollars are primarily (or exclusively)
spent in cities or countries where there are naturist
facilities.
6. You visit South Florida because of Haulover Beach's
legal clothing optional status.
MORE INFORMATION AND RESOURCES
Additional information and links are available, along with this NAC
Action Alert on the Web site of the Naturist Action Committee.
Select "Alerts" and find this NAC Action Alert under Current Alerts.
There you will find the agenda for the July 21 meeting of the City
Commission, as well as the complete text of the proposed anti-naturist
ordinance.
You will also find valuable information at the Web site of South
Florida
Free Beaches: http://www.sffb.com .
PLEASE HELP NAC TO CONTINUE HELPING NATURISTS!
Of course, local naturists are accepting donations to support this
effort. Additionally, however, South Florida Free Beaches has
indicated that it may have to call on NAC for help as this issue moves
forward. Richard Mason, President of SFFB has suggested that you
consider a contribution to NAC to assure that NAC will be able to help.
The Naturist Action Committee is a volunteer nonprofit organization
that exists to advance and protect the rights of naturists throughout
North America. To do its job, NAC relies entirely on the voluntary
generosity of supporters like you. To donate to NAC, use the address
below
NAC
PO Box 132
Oshkosh, WI 54903
Or call toll free (800) 886-7230 to donate by phone using your
MasterCard, Visa or Discover Card. Or use your credit card to make a
convenient online donation: http://www.naturistaction.org/donate/
Thank you for choosing to make a difference.
Naturally,
Michael Kush
Morley Schloss
Board Members
Naturist Action Committee
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Naturist Action Committee (NAC) - PO Box 132, Oshkosh, WI 54903
Executive Dir. Bob Morton - exe...@naturistaction.org
Board Member Michael Kush - mic...@gatorlake.net
Board Member Morley Schloss - morleyn...@hotmail.com
Online Rep. Dennis Kirkpatrick - natu...@sunclad.com
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