Franklin County in a tizzy over planned Male Revue

            Franklin county commissioners are tightening the language in the county’s nudity ordinance because of a Las Vegas style male revue that is planned for tonight at Black Marlin’s Restaurant on St. George Island.

The Revue has raised concerns, especially with a number of churches in the county.

There will not be nudity at the event, though the men will strip down to their speedos.

Sheriff Mike Mock said the revue does not violate the existing nudity ordinance which was written in 1998, but many people said it does violate local morality standards.

Some churches plan to protest the event.

Sheriff Mock said he will also have deputies at the event who will make arrests if any laws are broken.

The owners of Black Marlin’s said they never intended to offend the community, and do not plan to hold another event like this again, but they can’t cancel tonight’s event because they already have a contract with the Revue.

They also pointed out that the venue off limits to children and even though it will be outdoors, it will not be able to be seen from the street or from the Bay.

Sheriff Mock said he does not feel there is any way to shut tonight’s performance but he urged the county commission to give the existing ordinance more teeth to stop any future events.

County Commissioners however made a motion to do everything the county can stop the event even though their attorney told them they do not have the authority to do so.He warned that the county will open itself to a lawsuit because of the motion.

The board also voted to begin the process of strengthening the current nudity ordinance and hope to have a public hearing on the changes in the very near future.

Commissioner Cheryl Sanders said she hopes that not only will the county look at events like the male revue but also at the issue of alcohol on the beaches. 

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