Anti-nudity activist lobbies for ban in Clarendon
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By Sandi Switzer Rutland Herald - Published: September 26, 2007
CLARENDON — Public nudity may top taxes as the subject of debate when citizens gather for town meeting next spring.
A Clarendon resident, Joan Bixby, will be circulating a questionnaire at the annual meeting in March asking residents whether the town should adopt an ordinance banning public nudity.
Bixby said the results of the opinion poll would be forwarded to the Clarendon Select Board for possible action.
The Clarendon woman met with the Selectboard on Monday to request permission to distribute the questionnaire to gauge public opinion on the matter.
At the outset of discussion, Bixby provided officials with a recent copy of a newspaper that included a photograph taken last year depicting four nude individuals protesting a ban on public nudity in Brattleboro.
Officials in the southern Vermont community wrestled with the issue this summer and even approved a temporary ban on public nudity in some sections of town.
However, last month Brattleboro officials rejected adopting a permanent ordinance and the temporary ban on public nudity has expired.
"They say a picture is worth a thousand words," Bixby said as she provided a copy of the newspaper to board members.
There have been reports of public nudity at a popular swimming hole in Clarendon, and Bixby explained she was concerned it could become a problem in other sections of town.
"I know I'm not supposed to offend anybody, but how about them offending me," she said.
While no decisions have been made regarding language to be included in the questionnaire, residents may be asked whether they support a townwide ban, favor a ban on nudity near schools, the community center, and municipal buildings, or whether the town should take no action.
The Select Board agreed results of the questionnaire could provide officials some direction on the matter.
"I've got a lot of people who agree with me. Naturally some don't," Bixby said.
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