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 FRIDAY, MARCH 12, 2010 6:39 am |
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Local News 
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Bikini coffee stands to be regulated as adult entertainment Snohomish County leaders have approved a plan Wednesday to add bikini coffee stands to the list of businesses the county regulates as adult entertainment — even though there’s concern about how that plan would get enforced.The changes mean any business, not just coffee stands, that features partially nude employees selling products would need to be licensed as adult entertainment in unincorporated Snohomish County. Under the county’s existing laws, adult entertainment businesses can’t cater to minors or hire them. The county also requires adult entertainment businesses to adhere to other regulations, such as posting “adults only” signs. The council also tightened the county’s lewd conduct law Wednesday, adding tougher penalties and more clearly spelling out when a person is guilty of lewd conduct. Taken together, Councilman Mike Cooper said the changes should protect owners rights to run a responsible adult business and the rights of people living nearby who don’t want their children spotting nearly nude baristas. “I’m pleased we’re going to be the leader, not the follower, in dealing with adult coffee stands,” Cooper said. Both measures were approved unanimously, even though several councilman expressed concern about how the plans would be practically enforced. In a time of tight budgets and dozens of layoffs, councilmen Brian Sullivan and Dave Somers raised concerns. “I believe if we pass this ordinance, we aren’t going to be able to effectively enforce it,” Somers said. “We’re going to have the same problems next week.” The new measures will likely take effect in January if they’ve been signed by the county executive. Debra Smith: 425-339-3197, dsmith@heraldnet.com |
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COMMENTS
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I want a law that says no bikinis can be worn on public beaches or public swimming pools because it's possible someone can let their imagination run wide and sue the city for not protecting them from these "harms". This is how your elected officals are reacting to a coffee shop.
Remember the names of those that voted to regulate coffee shops come next election time. We have high unemployment, smaller tax base which means "higher taxes", and low morale. The city would stick it to a barista but they won't look in their own public venue like the YMCA (yeah look at those skimpy bikinis). You can you can't compare? I say wrong - In a swimming pool you swim next to nearly naked people (sometimes you end up touching even) does anyone complain?? How about your kids eyes??? OMG!! Doesn't this sound off the wall? It is!! If they want to serve coffee in 15 degree weather in a bikini that is up to them but we should not be trying to tell people what they can wear or not. It is not against the law to wear a bikini regardless of weather or beach. It is the perverted nature of those unable to wear one that ruins things for everyone else. I want signs and fines posted at all public beaches "No Bikinis Allowed" I want fines and jail sentences. Sounds off the wall don't it? That's what you're doing and it's DUMB.
joel james | Dec 11, 2009 6:07 pm | 0 replies | Request removal
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I am glad that this subject has gained some attention. Danger lies ahead where there is no rational thought about the consequences of our actions. The problem with scantily clad women in any public setting is not the women or their lack of clothing so much as it is ourselves that we cannot trust. We are all fallible and our judgments can be corrupt. Thus my concerns are not about what people want to push as their rights for so called "freedom", freedom that is based upon selfish motives, but the negative impact such coffee stands or anything of the sort on minors and the public in general. It is just plain obvious that no constraints on how we behave in life on planet earth leads to depravity to the point where we don't know what is right and wrong anymore. If we did, then there would be no argument and these businesses would not have even made it on the street. True freedom is not having to concern yourself about what you might be assulted by out on the street, or on the TV. Also, the government should not have to enforce laws on such matters. Why are those in favor of these businesses trying so hard to protect them anyway? There is no great loss for such business to rid themselves of this practice, in fact no loss at all but only gains to be made. It is time to grow up America.
Martyn Young | Dec 9, 2009 10:53 pm | 1 replies | Request removal
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I dont believe in your god (or any other god for that matter) and I dont find any of the stands offensive. I drive by them with my kids in the car and they never even took notice until this hit the media. Now they talk about it in schools.
Quit trying to bring me to your moral standards or I'll push to bring you to the Muslim moral standards. If you want to push morality then push the most conservative. Heck, might even stop a few wars in the process.
Zif Nab | Dec 10, 2009 8:34 am | Request removal
All the effort spent to try and shut these stands down could have been utilized for a greater good. How about feeding and housing the poor or helping out a family that has been struggling due to being laid off. Personally I don't care if there are a million coffee stands or none, but to worry that your kid on a school bus going 35 mph might see a sticker on the breast of a girl through a 2 x 2 window with a car or truck parked in front of it is absolutely crazy. Most kids on school buses aren't even looking out the window. If this is the only isue the county council has to worry about then I think we need a new council. Do not vote for any incumberants in the next election cycle. Get rid of the morons!
Work Ethic | Dec 10, 2009 4:58 am | 0 replies | Request removal
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ALL I CAN SAY IS THAT IF IT TAKE A COFFEE STAND TO HAVE WOMEN WEARING BIKINIS TO GET PEOPLE TO COME IN WHAT DOES THERE COFFEE TASE LIKE???
george jungle | Dec 10, 2009 4:55 am | 0 replies | Request removal
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ok what do we have to do for gettin cup of coffee or something now? Is the county or city going to call CPS on us if were in the area and decied to get a coffee or drink and we have our kids in the car? Now come on people we are adults let raise our kids our selfs as parents and not let the goverment decied what is right or wrong. This is like making the public pools adult only because of bikini's.
Ron Patterson | Dec 9, 2009 10:30 pm | 0 replies | Request removal
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Bravo! Well done, county council. Thank you for taking courageous stand. Lots of people will criticize you, but stand your ground for decency and for protecting families from perverts and those that would profit from perversion.
steve mathisen | Dec 9, 2009 9:38 pm | 0 replies | Request removal
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I find the ignorance here not surprising as the education level is probably nothing over 12th grade.Are you kidding..stop having the government raise the kids for us?I think the parents of snohomish and all of Washington have every right to be concerned about what their children see when driving to and from school.As parents they are to make sure that their children are safe and protected the best that they can,and i gonna tell you these stands sure do attract some odd people.my children are grown and i am now a grandmother,they all live in ny and you don't see this kind of stuff out on the streets of nyc,do you know why?
Denise None | Dec 9, 2009 5:53 pm | 2 replies | Request removal
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The Naked Cowboy, Times Square, New York. Plays guitar in his underwear... So yes you do see it on the streets of NYC.
Mike Flavin | Dec 09, 2009 7:39 pm | Request removal
Grandma: My MBA says I'm smarter than you? I don't know. But why exactly is it bad for people of any age to see people without clothing? I've seen more crazies and scantily clad people in NYC than anywhere outside of Amsterdam. SHOCKING!!! There is nothing wrong with a person with or without clothes. Stop judging or go live in Salt Lake City.
Tab Nort | Dec 09, 2009 8:32 pm | Request removal
They are worried that their kids might see some skin LOL Maybe it will have a positive effect on the kids. Telling the kids that it is not OK to be fat and lazy. That it is not OK to be 5ft 5in and 170lbs.That they too could have healthy bodies like that if would get off the couch and stop playing video games for 4 hours a day, watching T.V. and eating at McDonalds. No that would make their fat parent look bad. Have you noticed that not many kids anymore play at playgrounds. I wonder why? Americans are some of the fattest people on earth.
IamnotaLoser Loser | Dec 9, 2009 5:49 pm | 0 replies | Request removal
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I hope all the prudes in the council realize that by doing this, they have made it legal for non-contact bearing of breasts, and showing of privates, etc. Guess it's OK for anyone over 18 to get a lap dance with their coffee now! By making a mountain out of a molehill, I think they have just made the problem worse, and some stand will push the limits of this new regulation. Hopefully, by making a to do about this, all the children are very interested in this now, and might see the skinny girls in the shops as motivation to eat right and exercise to stay skinny, instead of playing video games all day and eating at Mcdonalds.
Brian Johnson | Dec 9, 2009 2:02 pm | 2 replies | Request removal
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True story. I went too last weeks meeting and there were 3 guys, and the rest were a bunch of femi-nazis crying the blues.(Who were not worthy of a bikini, trust me.) All the bread winners are at work at this time. How coiencedental.
David Williams | Dec 09, 2009 3:05 pm | Request removal
I was thinking the same thing. I wonder where the first stand will be where you will see an attractive young woman at. These woman who wanted morality legislated are getting exactly what they want.
I wonder how many of the loud mouthed woman used to be the very thing the loathe now. Im sure alot of them long for the days when they were a size 3 abd could turn a head just standing in line at Mcdonalds. When the glory days are over some poor B**tard has to drag his butt home to an old nag. When she gets tired of brow beating him, she's off to a new project. A brand new sect of society to feel her new found wrath and disdain for what she once was.
Mike Flavin | Dec 09, 2009 5:39 pm | Request removal
You people whining about these stands need to stop asking Snohomish County to raise your kids for you because you are to damn lazy to do it yourselves. If you don't want your kids looking at it keep them away from the stand. You want to complain about something why don't you complain about something useful.
Jeff Skaar | Dec 9, 2009 5:15 pm | 0 replies | Request removal
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Why is everyone so ashamed and embarrased over the human body? My God sure isn't ashamed of his creation. If people want to wear nothing or next to nothing, more power to them. Children are not harmed and only their upbringing tells them that the human body is something to be ashamed of. Government needs to get out of the morality business.
Tab Nort | Dec 9, 2009 5:14 pm | 0 replies | Request removal
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For those of you who are quick to make snide comments and complain, why didn't you attend the council meetings and express your views? Also, we are not talking about Bikini's. We are talking about girls that are almost nude. A sticker on their breast and sometimes nothing but a string on their butts. If they were on a beach in this attire, they would be arrested. Bikini's are fine, it's the other
lack of clothing that has been the issue. Not one person opposed to these laws ever show up to express
their position as you would look like uneducated idiots.
DK M | Dec 9, 2009 2:47 pm | 2 replies | Request removal
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guess what last time i checked thongs are legal as beach attire, also depending on which beach so are pasty's, so if you want an education please by all means go get one, If you want to live in a puritan society Pennsylvania is recruiting, but don't go to new york, because in new york it's legal for women to sunbath topless in state parks. Also last i checked butt checks were not considered genitals so a "string up there crack" wouldn't be a lewd act. So next summer solstice i want all the naked people in fremont rounded up, all the naked bike riders protesting oil prices, all the nudists in issaquah, the girl on the coppertone bottle, anyone participating in a bikini show. The great thing about this country is that things like this can be tolerated in our communities because if you don't want to see it you don't have to look.
mark copeland | Dec 09, 2009 3:03 pm | Request removal
I think you've answered the reason we don't attend those meetings, via your response, why emerse ourselves into a meeting with only one thing in mind,and no other options,you see this is how America go to the point it is, by closed minded,under educated and obviously insecure people as you. I do wish to say that my degree must be far inferior of yours, given the fact that were all "idoits" as you put it, why should we attend, you seem to have everything under control, almost sounds like the old prohibition days huh people,,remember county personell,the majority of people out here, disagree with what you've here. Not a threat,mearly a reminder...
CHRIS WALL | Dec 09, 2009 5:01 pm | Request removal
Not 1 educated person attended those meetings anyways. Did you see the women that talked to the council? Did you hear some of the stories? Worried their child is going to get molested because they walk by? Masturbating in the parking lot?
I did want to attend one of the meetings, unfortunately I have to work at 10:30AM. Besides the ladies who did attend the meetings called anyone who visit them pedophiles. I can just imagine what would happen to me and my family if I did attend.
I did however write letters and emails to the council. Not that they listen.
Zif Nab | Dec 9, 2009 2:54 pm | 2 replies | Request removal
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It's funny, do you know all the people tht attended these meetings? I think not, otherwise you would not make the statement you made. ASgain if your going to make snide comments, please educate yourself of the issue before you blah blah blah your mouth
DK M | Dec 09, 2009 3:14 pm | Request removal
Ahh, but I can watch the meeting minutes. Tell me how many working stiffs do you think I will see in that video? How many house wives were at that meeting? How many working people? Yea, thought so...
Zif Nab | Dec 09, 2009 4:05 pm | Request removal
Keep in mind that this has not yet become law - despite the reporter's very misleading storyline, reflecting, perhaps, her wishful thinking.
It would be wise for the County Executive to defer or decline signing news laws that either: 1.) Will be difficult to enforce and/or 2.) Would likely to entangle the county into protracted and costly legal challenges. Oh, the consequences of trying to legislate morality using the lame (but effective) "what about the children" screed. I'm convinced the council members were shaking in their shoes - fearing a backlash from the radical religious faction - when they all followed lock-step in approving this cobbled and feeble piece of legislation.
Douglas Stevens | Dec 9, 2009 3:40 pm | 0 replies | Request removal
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I am curious to read the ordinance. How will they define "bikini coffee stand?" Has the term "bikini" been defined? I also wonder if the report is accurate as far as a bikini being deemed / defined as "partially nude."
Seems like our rights are being trimmed
Look at the bright side...I am sure this will create new jobs for enforcement. I should get my resume updated.
John M | Dec 9, 2009 3:25 pm | 0 replies | Request removal
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So here we go again.. catering to the few who have an issue with this and nothing better to do with their time than complain. Well done, Sno County. Way to buckle under the pressure of the ultra-conservative ninnies who just want to force their agendas and insecurities on others.
Bravo.
Jesse Pein | Dec 9, 2009 3:21 pm | 0 replies | Request removal
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Let me ask this, are these coffee stands, when operating legally, showing anything more than what you could see at a beach? What exactly are we all so afraid of?
mark copeland | Dec 9, 2009 2:31 pm | 0 replies | Request removal
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Lake Stevens and Lake Goodwin both have food stands that employee 15 and 16yr olds, they will now be "adult only". if anybody wears suggestive clothing.
I just have to ask, where do we stop? Is a miniskirt OK? How low can a blouse be?
Snohomish county, Everett and Bellevue. Great job!
How can any elected official ever hold their head up in public after cowing to a .5% minority? They should all hide their heads in shame.
Bet this will once again make national news, oh and the same dumb reporter again. Maybe if the herald tried to report the news instead of allowing reporters to influence it things would be better. She should be fired.
Zif Nab | Dec 9, 2009 2:31 pm | 0 replies | Request removal
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Will Howarth Park beach, Silver Lake, or any other place that invites bikini's when its warm going to be subject as adult only now? This is one law that will be hard to enforce. Im sure some attorney with half of his or her salt will be able to find this unconstitutional. The state Constitution cov ers a lot more than the Federal Constitution.
Mike Flavin | Dec 9, 2009 2:04 pm | 0 replies | Request removal
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Wow !! has anyone ever heard of "discrimination" ??
and whats gonna happen when any or our shopping malls have a "Bikini Show" all in good taste of course, is the same going to apply ? "adults only "?
I think the county has opened a whole new can of worms on this one ! . Get a life people, these girls arent selling anything more than coffee, it may look good in the making process,but you leave with hot coffee,not a women. And for all of you that oppose them and started all this, I hope you happy protecting your children from seeing all the bad things they do,,,lol,,your all something else, I don't even go to the stands, but I disagree with the outcome, I thought we'd all be more grown up than this...
Great job county, you made us all look like idiots
CHRIS WALL | Dec 9, 2009 1:58 pm | 0 replies | Request removal
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