NAC Update
Wharton County, Texas
January 7, 2004
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NATURIST ACTION COMMITTEE
UPDATE
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http://www.naturistsociety.com/NAC
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DATE : January 7, 2004
SUBJECT: Wharton County Texas regulation
TO : All naturists
Dear Naturist,
A collaboration between naturists and county officials has resulted in the successful revision of a proposed county regulation that had threatened the rights of naturists
and local nudist parks.
On December 22, 2003, the commissioners of Wharton County, Texas were presented with a proposed countywide regulation targeting sexually oriented businesses. An online NAC Advisory addressed this
situation on December 24.
The proposed regulation was broadly worded. Interpreted literally, it would have adversely affected naturists and establishments (like nudist parks or rented facilities) that might be used for
naturist activities. As initially presented, the proposal defined nudist parks and resorts to be sexually oriented businesses.
Randy Attaway is co-owner and spokesperson for Natural Horisun, Inc., one of two nudist parks
presently located in Wharton County. At the public hearing on December 22, Attaway read to the commissioners a position paper that had been prepared by the Naturist Action Committee specifically for the Wharton County
situation. He backed up his presentation by submitting a letter from the Southwestern Sunbathing Association, a regional affiliate of the American Association for Nude Recreation. The documents from NAC and SWSA were
coordinated to present a complementary and coherent opposition to the regulation, as it was originally written.
REVISION OF THE REGULATION
The commissioners agreed to postpone their consideration of the
regulation so that the county attorney and naturists could work together on a revision. That effort took place yesterday, January 6. NAC Executive Director Bob Morton traveled to Wharton, where he and Attaway met with Wharton
County Attorney G.A. "Trey" Maffett.
The meeting was a working session that resulted in a much more precise and narrowly worded regulation. Significantly, the wording of the document was revised so that the
interests of naturists and nudist parks are protected without the use of specific exemptions, which carry their own disadvantages.
ONE FINAL STEP
Now that the regulation has been revised, Wharton County
Commissioners are expected to approve it during their next regular meeting, which is scheduled for Monday, January 12, 2004.
WHAT SHOULD I BE DOING?
This is an NAC Update. The Naturist Action Committee is
not asking you to take any action at this time. Please continue to watch for NAC Action Alerts, Advisories and Updates on this and other important issues.
MORE INFORMATION
For more information, check the NAC web site:
www.naturistsociety.com/NAC
Click on ALERTS, ADVISORIES AND UPDATES and then select CURRENT to see this NAC Update. Included with it are links to LOCAL ISSUES,
which has further discussion, a map and the text of the NAC position paper.
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Naturist Action Committee (NAC) - PO Box 132, Oshkosh, WI 54903
Executive Dir. Bob Morton - <ctnudists@aol.com>
Online Rep. Dennis Kirkpatrick - <naturist@sunclad.com>
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