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10/3/08
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22 comments
Skinny dip sandwich stripped
GREENVILLE, Maine — Although it was an appealing meal for some, the Black Frog Restaurant will no longer promote a free Skinny Dip sandwich for a naked plunge into Moosehead Lake. Restaurant owner Leigh Turner came to that decision on Thursday on the heels of the Board of Selectmen’s denial of his liquor application renewal. Selectmen voted Wednesday night to deny his renewal request because of the nudity shown by some takers of the Skinny Dip menu offering. Selectmen did note that if the naked plunge promotion were removed, they’d have no problem granting the license. When Turner learned of the board’s action on Thursday, he called town officials and told them he would remove the promotion. Town Manager John Simko said he polled selectmen Thursday morning and the consensus was to let the vote stand. A letter about the denial will be forwarded to the Maine Liquor Enforcement Division. An addendum will be added to inform state officials that Turner had agreed to remove the promotion. Turner has the right to appeal the decision and request a public hearing on the matter. “It’s going to cause a frenzy, but the law is the law,” Chairman Bonnie DuBien said Wednesday of the board’s vote. Local police have had several after-the-fact complaints about the naked plunges by patrons, and in August they summoned three southern Maine residents for indecent conduct after they jumped naked into the lake. The trio pleaded not guilty to the charges and trials are expected later. “The violation that occurred is indecent conduct; indecent conduct is a Class E crime. It’s a misdemeanor. It’s the same classification as operating after suspension, disorderly conduct, engaging in prostitution and harassment,” Greenville Police Chief Scott MacMaster said Wednesday in recommending the denial. “If any of these were going on at a licensed establishment in town and we received complaints on it or we heard about it, I would come to you with the same recommendation not to approve the liquor license.” He said police had to be consistent in enforcing the law. Turner was notified after complaints were aired to police, MacMaster said. Although Turner’s staff would canvas patrons to ensure no one would be offended by a naked plunge, MacMaster said the jumps were observed by others on Katahdin cruises or the boardwalk. Harkening to the worldwide publicity the Skinny Dip sandwich has garnered since it appeared on Turner’s menu, Simko said he and MacMaster have had their names taken in vain on the Internet from here to Hong Kong. People have the perception that “we’re the bad guys and the town is keeping small business down,” Simko said, but what the rest of the world doesn’t recognize is the proximity of the restaurant to public places. “We’ve spent hundreds of thousands of dollars to create this venue and we take pride in it and try to get people to come to Thoreau Park, the boardwalk, go on the Katahdin and go to the gazebo,” and unfortunately they are located near the restaurant, Simko said. “You know, I almost feel like the reverend from ‘Footloose’ and that there’ll be no dancing in my town, but it’s not that,” MacMaster said. “I have to look at everybody’s safety and I have to represent everybody, so it’s not that I don’t think there should be dancing in Greenville or this or that. It’s a violation of law.” Selectman Mike Theriault said Turner needed to make a choice. “He’s breaking the law. Stop breaking the law and you will stay in business, period,” he said. “He’s insulting families that bring revenue to a lot of the businesses here. He’s insulting families that live here. It really might be a little bit different if he was located on the other side of the mill up the lake and not in the middle of our community, sort of our hub epicenter.” While Turner did not attend Wednesday’s meeting and was “shocked” at the board’s action, he said he would amend the menu offering so skinny dipping was not promoted at the restaurant in order to get his license renewal. “That’s a no-brainer,” he said Thursday. Turner, whose license will expire on Nov. 9, said he would turn to his humorous side to convey the change to his patrons.
Comments
Black mail! If someone goes skinny dipping, that is their business, they take the risks. Damn small town narrow minded politics! HE COULD LEGALLY TURN IT INTO A STRIP JOINT IF HE WANTED TO. THAT WOULD FIT THE FAMILY ATMOSPHERE A LOT BETTER. The narrow minded "powers that be" need to get a real life. This is the kind of thinking that goes on in that area and the reason that the area is so economically depressed. Greenville is going to remain a back-woods town until the residents there decide that they want something more. This restaurant came up with an interesting idea that drew people, with their wallets, to the Greenville area. Now they won't come. I think it would be a great time for all to protest this terrible decision and in a showing of solidarity and brother-hood we all go up to Greenville and do the "skinny dip" and then partake of the restaurants fine food and atmosphere! Just hurry up and get this organized due to the time of year and shrinkage! Sounds good PadMainer, but it is to far for me, I'm in NM. My thoughts would be with you. Wish I had known I just was there last month. magnum..I can barely bring myself to jump into the lake up there in July...I guess I was just dreaming! Anyhow take care in NM... Hey folks. It's a LAW!! If someone goes skinny dipping they should know that they will have to face the consequences. That’s the trouble with people; they take no responsibility for their actions. Grow up! What if everyone only followed the laws they liked or agreed with? I might not like the law that stopped me from stealing your car.
I find it hard to believe the owner was shocked by all this. If he truly was, then he wouldn’t have the smarts to stay in business. And even if it were a strip club, they couldn’t take it outside, nummah. You can’t just brush off family values so cavalierly. I know it’s old fashioned but moral values and integrity are still good things. I wouldn’t want my kids watching some nasty ass naked folk prancing around. Gives me the willies just thinking about it.
Good grief, Bangorian! People won't come to Greenville because one restaurant changed the wording on one menu item! Let's watch and see if that happens, really. So now if you speed on your way to church, you could lose your tax-exempt status. Make sense? Why can't we all just get along?? I'm with Padmainer .. let's all jump in! Just because actions of few will result in loss for many! The naked plunge promotion was removed! Normally the denial of a liquor license is due to the violence, or brawling in a particular area .. but nudity??! Do we not look in the mirror at our naked bodies on a daily basis? I wonder how much the people that complained really saw? It is just a naked body, no big deal. They could of just turned their head or covered their eyes. People just can't have any fun.. So Sad. I am with you pabmainer lets run a naked muck..LOL What does a liquor license have to do with skinny dipping? Black Mail This is another example of the TOTAL acceptance of anything even if it is improper or illegal. Reading the comments I can see that many of the readers of BDN can overlook anything if it can be seen as fun regardless of the influence on others. I hope that the town stays with their decision and that the State of Maine remembers that a law is a law and the influence on others is still important. Can they earn their license back? Probably, but after they feel the consequences which are best felt in financial terms of temporary loss of money. I just can't get passed that I get freaked out by the fact that the owners even started this. Kinda makes me think they may get off on a free peek show??? I hope I am very wrong! Did the Board of selectmen even mention to him beforehand that his license was in jeapordy? Sounds to me like they blindsided him with it. You would think that they would have contacted him beforehand to let him know they would deny his license unless he discontinued the promotion. Sounds to me like he had no clue they were going to do this. Not a very good way to treat a local business if you ask me. Too bad Greenville will lose the extra business his promotion brought to town. I know a few people from Bangor who took a ride up for the day only because they had seen the previous news articles. Wow, I cant believe anyone would want to sabotage such a creative and lucritive business. The first article made national news months back and I've personally spoken to countless families that couldnt wait to dine here. This is going to hurt the town of Greenville...no doubt about it. Isnt it ironic that those so dreadfully offended by this are usually of an obressed or perverted mindset, scared to death they'll think sinful thoughts from seeing a backside, lol. As an EMT of more then 15yrs I've witnessed enough death and suffering to know that laughter and living life to its fullest are what its really all about. I honestly could not imagine going to life as uptight as the folks that oppose this. I hope those responsible for robbing this business of its liquor liscense are now happy....doubtful though...misery DOES love company!! People just need to RELAX. I knew Greenville was a hick, KKK town long ago when they fought so hard to keep the word squaw in their mountain. Although I avoid Greenville at all costs, I was going to go back there, to spend some money at hotels, restaurants, etc. just to visit this restaurant that is easygoing enough to offer a free sandwich for a skinny dip! I just want to meet the owner, who seems like a good spirited person. But now that he has had to conform to the selectmen or lose his liquor license, I will not go to Greenville and will not patronize any businesses there and will tell my colleagues & friends to do the same. PaleShadows is right. It's a shame, but Greenville has lost business. I bet the selectmen indulge in naked porn - I'll bet a sandwich on it! peace and love Are you serious?! This is government making themselves feel important! If you don't want to see any nudity, then don't look or don't go to the restaurant. I can't believe people actually called the police about this knowing it was all out of fun. I agree with Magnum... it does kind of sound like black mail...
As for MrNixxon, jllbow, and someonefrombangor... they sound like those who would have called the cops. PRUDES! Have some fun.. geez.
Better not see your babies running around nude in this town either... they may get locked up!! Hat's Off to the Chief of Police and Town Officials of Greenville. It is not unusual for a town to enforce a code of ethics on any local business owner who operates under their jurisdiction and local and state operating permits. How would the public feel if this owner was allowed to violate health code laws and state liquor enforcement laws that protect the customers that patronize restaurants and bars. When operating a business open to the public, and owner has an understood, and very clearly defined, obligation to act responsibly in a community, if they expect to hold licenses to operate their business. Most businesses would ban a patron, from the premises, for indecent exposure. What makes Mr. Turner believe he is above the laws, that every other business owner must abide by. Makes you wonder what other, and how many operating laws are being violated there. Nudity and sexual overtone activities belong in ones privacy of their own home. frazier...I am definately NOT a prude. LMAO. I hope the town stands its ground. Laws were made for a reason. You want to break one, pay the consequences. I have done so why should anyone one else be treated differently. As for being blindsided by the selectmen?!?!? What a load of horse squeeze!! The only reason it was so fun to have on the menu was that it was borderline. That's what gave it the flair. Get over it all ready. I agree with MrNixxon everyone get over it already. I'm sure the Police Department and Town Officials have much more important things to be attending to. Too bad they have to defend themselves to such a ridiculous attempt at free publicity from a local business owner. Turner needs to grow up, and start acting like a big boy now! By the previous news articiles, I would say he had ample time to rectify this situation with the town, before they threatened his license. Some people just never listen. Clearly this is not blackmail or blindsiding from the town. He defied them, and they reacted appropriately. |
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