Nude dancing prompts debate in Carrabassett Valley

CARRABASSETT VALLEY — A debate over nude dancing became contentious at times with audience members attending a Carrabassett Valley selectman's meeting Monday, Nov. 10.

Under provisions of a local special amusement permit, owners of the Carrabassett Inn have been hosting a company that provides a nude dancing service.

Some people don't want to tolerate a strip club in the town and brought the issue before selectmen.

Carrabassett resident Kim Kearing called for immediate action to halt the strippers. She was requesting that an ordinance be created that bans public nudity in local establishments.

"I just want to be clear that I'm not here to argue the legal aspect of nude dancing. What I am here to do is expose the indecencies which are taking place during these nights," Kearing said.

Kearing told selectmen that it's against Maine law for performers and patrons of public places to engage in sexual conduct, including oral sex. "This is in the least of what is happening at the Carrabassett Inn," Kearing said, saying she heard about activities at the inn from several sources.

Inn owner Jeff Jacques and others in the room refuted Kearing's claim, saying that she was repeating hearsay.

Jacques said he's always been there during any performance and he's known the owner of the entertainment company for 20 years.

"He's not going to subject himself to losing a business that he's had for over 13 years with professional dancers," Jacques said.

"There are strippers out there; these girls are entertainers," Jacques said acknowledging rumors but refuting Kearing's claim of sexual encounters. "I have never seen it and I'm sure people in this room have never seen it."

Jacques said he leases out his building and he closes it off. "It's the offseason and we have to make a living up here."

Anticipating the debate, Town Manager Dave Cota sought legal advice from Maine Municipal Association. Attorney Susanne F. Pilgrim advised the town of actions it could take, including drafting an ordinance. Pilgrim advised the town manager to be careful of such a provision due to First Amendment rights.

Police Chief Scott Nichols was present and told selectmen and the audience about what's considered legal at strip clubs and what's considered prostitution. "It's not illegal to dance nude in the state of Maine, topless or bottomless," Nichols explained. "It's not even illegal to reach out and touch them if the gals are willing to allow that sort of thing," Nichols added, and explained that where the bodily contact hap- pens is the boundary of what's considered prostitution.

After the debate, selectmen advised Kearing that she could pursue her desire by writing an ordinance that would ban the strip shows and petition the people to go to a public vote.

Two selectmen stated that they don't want to take a moral stance on the issue.

"Kim, I really respect your sensitivity," Selectman Lloyd Cuttler said. He went on to say that he didn't see flashing signs or activity that would give a bad impression of the town.

But, he added, "I think from my standpoint I have a very difficult time sitting here with the four us and telling the town what our moral standards should be. I don't believe that's my job," Cuttler added. "Personally, I think it's going to be a short-term thing and it's going to take care of itself... Again, if it was thrown in the face of every car that went by, I would have a problem," Cuttler said.

Cuttler spoke of other businesses making decisions to do things and said he didn't want to be asked as a selectman to create an ordinance that stops business decisions.

Board chairman Robert Luce echoed Cuttler's points and said, "I think if we need to have a more restrictive ordinance in the town, let's take it to the voters of the community. Let the community decide as a whole what they wish to see and what they wish not to see."

Jacques later said that the plan with the dancing was only until the economy picks up with anticipated winter business ahead.