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51 °F Forecast | Road Cams Wednesday, June 9, 2004 Today's News | Classifieds | Autos | Homes | Jobs | Tempo | Health | Community | Home Delivery SECTIONS Home Page Local News Sports Business Obituaries Life Opinion - Politics Tempo AP News Weather Classified Archives Site Map SPECIAL SECTIONS Since We Asked Outdoor Journal Prime Times Wellness Connection Readers' Choice Real Estate Showcase Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Wedding Guide Rogue Valley's Finest EXTRA Newspaper in Education Personals Movie Times TV Times E The People MARKETPLACE Find a Car Find a Home Find a Job Classifieds Place an ad eSouthernOregon Automotive Communities Entertainment Publications Recreation Calendar CUSTOMER SERVICE Frequent Questions Advertising Information Home Delivery Employment Contact Us Media Kit Network Affiliate Oregon Road Conditions & Cams Email Story to a Friend May 18, 2004 Ashland council to vote on nudity By BILL CHOY Mail Tribune ASHLAND — Those who plan to parade sans clothing downtown this summer may want to think twice. If the City Council approves a proposed ordinance tonight, it will be unlawful for people to expose their genitals in a public place or place visible from a public place in Ashland. The council meets at 7 p.m. in council chambers at the Civic Center, 1175 E. Main St. Ashland Police Chief Mike Bianca proposed the ordinance after more than 16 incidents of public nudity in the Plaza and in front of Lithia Park last summer. "I want to lessen these conflicts," Bianca said. "This sets some clear boundaries of behavior for a small number of people who can’t figure it out for themselves. ... We have an enormous investment in our town, and I’m not talking about buildings or money. I’m talking about civility and good taste, and they are worth protecting." Advertisement In January, Bianca asked Assistant City Attorney Mike Franell "to create a simple ordinance over public nudity that could pass constitutional challengers." Franell said the proposed ordinance applies only to the showing of genitals. It does not apply to showing buttocks or to women going topless. The ordinance is not intended to apply to a person who is prepubescent or those who have taken steps to create a private area on their property in which to be nude. "The intent is not to prevent anyone from doing this in their own homes," City Manager Gino Grimaldi said. "We’re trying to prevent anything offensive, especially in downtown." If the ordinance passes, violators could be fined up to $250 in Ashland Municipal Court. Grimaldi said the ordinance is designed to make people think twice about public nudity. "It’s really a tool we would use when an officer approaches someone to cover up," he said. "Hopefully they will oblige and we don’t have to cite them." Bianca said he respects people’s rights but that nudity can be a distraction. "We are surrounded by 10,000 acres where people can go and get naked," he said. "For the life of me, I can’t figure out why they have to pick 10 acres of downtown and the front of Lithia Park." Bill Choy is a reporter for the Mail Tribune and the Ashland Daily Tidings. Reach him at 482-3456. Mail Tribune Home Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life Opinion - Politics | AP News | Archives | Site Map E Southern Oregon | Classified Copyright © 1997-2004 Mail Tribune. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions Website Feedback ADVERTISERS A D V E R T I S E R S RESOURCES Oregon Road Conditions & Cams SPECIAL SECTIONS Auto Finder Job Finder Home Finder Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Tempo Readers' Choice Real Estate Showcase Since We Asked Food for Thought Wellness Connection Outdoor Journal Moving to Southern Oregon? Volunteer Opportunities Prime Times