SCOTT CITY SEEKS BAN ON NUDE DANCING

SCOTT CITY -- Mayor Larry Forhan doesn't want nude dancing in Scott City even if the business doesn't serve liquor.

Forhan said city ordinances relating to liquor licenses already prohibit nude dancing or stripping in bars.

To stop that type of dancing in any kind of establishment, Forhan directed the city attorney this week to draft a new ordinance applying to all public places.

Forhan said city ordinances would keep Scott City from experiencing what is happening in Cape Girardeau where Regina Capps, a Paducah, Ky., woman has asked for a liquor license for a bar featuring nude dancing.

As that story unfolded, Forhan became aware that the same Kentucky woman owns and operates a juice bar where liquor isn't sold and nude dancing is also featured.

That left a gap in Scott City's ordinances to prohibit this type of activity, Forhan said.

Drafting a comprehensive ordinance against nude dancing is appropriate based on Scott City community standards, he said.

"It's important to do this because our community is made up of moral people," Forhan said. "Our town wouldn't want to grow in that direction."

Forhan said the proposed ordinance would be a natural extension of the city's liquor licensing laws.

The city council agreed withy Forhan that a new ordinance should be drafted. Forhan said he would like an ordinance to consider at the Feb. 6 council meeting.

City Attorney Frank Siebert said he has contacted the Missouri Municipal League to get model ordinances relating to the regulation and-or prohibition of adult entertainment, including topless dancing, nude dancing, adult bookstores and other forms of X-rated entertainment.

"I understand there may be some constitutional questions involved in regulating nude dancing," Siebert said. "I also understand that the council wants the strictest permissible ordinance that will pass constitutional questions."

Siebert said he will attempt to draft a constitutionally permissible ordinance that can be legally enforced with the widest parameters to regulate these activities. He didn't know yet what specific activities may be regulated by a new ordinance.

Siebert will look at the ordinances enacted in other areas and what the courts have said about their adherence to the U.S. Constitution.