Posted on 05/19/2004 9:02:01 AM PDT by presidio9
WEST PALM BEACH -- Palm Beach County soon could bid adieu to some of the finer indulgences of South Florida lifestyle: walking the dog on the beach, tossing back a brew at 4 a.m. and letting it all hang out.
All in the same half-hour, county commissioners suddenly went on the offensive against dogs on the beach, late-night bar hoppers and people who seem to want to show off their underwear. There oughta be a law, they said. And they ordered staff to study how that could best be done.
It was a day for pet peeves, and the commissioners didn't hold back.
First to the ladies: Commissioner Addie Greene doesn't want to see a thong peeking above your low-rise jeans.
And to the men: She doesn't care to see your boxers, compliments of the shorts or jeans that sit well below your butt.
Instead, she wants an "indecent exposure ordinance" that would have deputies ticket men and women countywide who dare wear such attire.
"I take this serious and not as a joke," she said.
She's not alone in her disgust.
A bill pending in the Louisiana Legislature would punish anyone caught wearing low-riding pants with a fine as of much as $500 or as many as six months in jail -- or both. Even plumbers in the Pelican State would have to pull up their pants -- or pay up -- under a law pushed by a first-time legislator.
Some worried about how such a law would play in a county that once did battle with a famously thonged hot-dog vendor and had its reputation sullied by the 2000 election debacle.
"We'll be known for chads and butts," joked Commissioner Burt Aaronson.
And to those who drink until 5 a.m. at bars in unincorporated areas of the county: Enjoy it while you can.
What started as a push by Commissioner Mary McCarty to quiet noisy late-night bars near residential areas turned into the full commission's desire to shut down bars earlier.
Bars open until 5 a.m.? "That's ridiculous," Commissioner Jeff Koons said.
Aaronson agreed: "You can get plastered fast enough by 2 o'clock in the morning."
County attorneys said they'll review their ability to close the bars earlier, a move that would stop bar patrons from driving out to the county when city bars shut down.
"I think the sheriff's department would kiss us because a lot of their problems happen after 2," McCarty said.
And finally, to dog lovers: There may be precious little time left for your dog to have a day at the beach.
McCarty, a dog owner herself, asked to ban pooches from beaches in unincorporated Palm Beach County. It's unsafe and unsanitary and out of hand, she said. Especially at "Dog Beach," a small unincorporated area east of Boynton Beach where the county allows dogs to dig and scratch and run to their hearts' content.
Dog owners flock there from as far away as Hollywood and Fort Lauderdale, where canines are banned from beaches.
It's not the first time McCarty has tried to shut down the doggie beach. She tried nearly six years ago and was flooded with hate mail from dog owners.
This time, she wants to be ready, perhaps with a sort of anti-dog patrol.
"We're going to need to have some enforcement for a while because the people with pit bulls are pretty adamant," she said.
now where is xs2pup supposed to vacation???
Incidently, this thread was in chat before I could open it up a second time...
i saw that, it happened before my very eyes, i saw it pass through the barrier....
Why was this moved to chat? Is there some standard I am not aware of?
I thought this article is a good insight into a politicians fascist mind.
it was like watching a poltergeist float through a wall.....
Better tell xs2pup to "stay away from the light."
under NO circumstances is he permitted to look at hosts up in the sun....
Why was this moved to chat? Is there some standard I am not aware of?
Nearly all "fun" threads are moved to chat these days.
Honestly, this seems like a city over legislating, which IS political, but you just know certain people around here will hijack the thread and turn it into a thong/beer/dog discussion.
That Owl_Eagle jerk is infamous for that.
Owl_Eagle
" WAR IS PEACE
FREEDOM IS SLAVERY
DIVERSITY IS STRENGTH"
It was a pregnant chat.
I take grammar serious.
I guess Alexandra Kerry will have no problems then in Palm Beach...
"I take this serious. . . ."
I take grammar serious.
I take both of your comments seriesly.
Owl_Eagle
" WAR IS PEACE
FREEDOM IS SLAVERY
DIVERSITY IS STRENGTH"
Wow, the poor plumbers.
If they outlaw visible underwear, will they have to all go out and buy invisible underwear?
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