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Updated: 10:52 PM Jan 29, 2010
NEW INFORMATION: Stevens Point police chief not backing off swingers party
The "complete 'sexual freedom' hotel takeover" is scheduled for Valentine's Day weekend
Posted: 9:27 PM Jan 28, 2010Reporter: Mary Rinzel Email Address: mary.rinzel@weau.com |
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UPDATE 1/29:
The Stevens Point police chief is standing by his claim that a Valentine's Day swingers party violates city ordinance.
Chief Kevin Ruder says he received a letter from the party organizer's attorney saying he has until February 1 to reply or could face a lawsuit. Ruder says that letter has been forwarded to the city attorney.
Ruder says he not only stands by his decision that the hotel takeover violates a city ordinance dealing with sexually oriented businesses, but says the city is also looking into other ordinance violations and public health code violations.
ORIGINAL STORY FROM 1/28:
VALENTINE'S DAY SWINGER PARTY: ILLEGAL? OR ILLEGAL TO STOP?
A city is at odds with a Jackson County's man's plans to host a Valentine’s Day swingers party. He's advertising it as a "complete 'sexual freedom' hotel takeover." But, the police chief and mayor say his event is not welcome in Stevens Point.
Thursday (1/28), the hotel's front desk told us the swingers party is off. But, the man throwing it says he’s still planning to have it. He's the same man who owns Camp NCN, a sexual freedom campground, just outside Black River Falls.
Long, snowy winters don't bring in much money at Marvin Thomann’s "No Clothing Necessary" camp. That’s why he says he turned to hotel takeovers.
"There are lot of people who need a place to go where they feel safe and no one will hassle them," Thomann says.
For his latest takeover in Stevens Point, his website advertises a hot tub "that can accommodate lots of naked bodies” and a prize for the "couple who has the most sex outside the privacy of their room."
"The city of Stevens Point does not want itself associated with these types of organizations or these types of activities. It's that simple," says Mayor Andrew Halverson.
Halverson says he has full faith in the city's ordinances to stop the party. The city's police chief told our sister station in Wausau the event violates an ordinance dealing with "sexually oriented business." He says that's because the Royale Inn is within 750 feet of two places that serve alcohol. Chief Kevin Ruder says the hotel could face thousands of dollars in fines or face being shut down.
But, Thomann says his party is private and doesn't fall under the ordinance. He says he'll sue if the chief doesn't back off the hotel.
"It's time to let people know it is a freedom of choice lifestyle,” Thomann says.
Thomann gave WEAU 13 News a copy of the letter his attorney sent to the police chief. It says the hotel takeover is protected by constitutional rights. The letter gives the chief until February 1 to reply or threatens a peremptory lawsuit.
Thomann says he'll lose $15,000 if he can't host his party. Last Valentine’s Day, 225 couples were at his event at a Madison hotel.
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