As the sun is setting on the current federal administration, historians are already debating which administration has been the biggest financial disaster for the American economy, Herbert Hoover's or George W. Bushes. Only time will tell which has been worse.
With the biggest federal deficits in history, they would have been even larger if the federal government had not cut back on revenue sharing with states and cities. Part of these cutbacks have even affected Florida, where Jeb Bush was governor.
Naturally, when a state, city, or county has to cut back, the first thing that goes is services that citizens enjoy. Florida for instance is closing beaches.
Governments never think of cutting back on their bloated salaries or benefits. And only rarely do they cut their bloated staffs. Instead, they think, "we'll make the citizens suffer" by cutting police, fire, education, beaches, parks and recreation, etc.
Richard Mason, who with his wife Shirley have been major supporters of Haulover nude beach in Miami. Back in the 70's and 80's this was a terrible, dangerous beach, and was very run down until it became an official nude beach. Now it is the most popular nude beach in the US. They and their supporters have done a great job.
My wife, Mary Clare, was born in Tampa, Florida. That's why we are in Palm Springs as we know Florida has the rainiest weather in the US.
In the 14 years that our resort, The Terra Cotta Inn clothing optional resort and spa, of Palm Springs, California has been open, we have been to Florida about 5 times. We have always tried to nude sunbathe at Haulover, but have never yet been in Miami when they have had nice weather. It was either too cold, raining, or there were big tropical storms for days on end. We have driven by the beach in the rain, so we know where it is. Someday, we will be there and actually get to nude sunbathe.
Here is Richard Mason's proposal for nude beaches:
"Nude beaches seen as cover for cash gaps
Times are tough, maybe even tough enough to start paying more attention to one of the state's leading nudists.
"It's time for the state of Florida to grow up," said Richard Mason, the president of the Florida Naturist Association...
Mason's idea is simple: More nude beaches equals more state revenue.
"If you can build golf courses for golfers, why can't you designate beaches for naturists?" Mason asked.
He uses Haulover Beach Park in Miami-Dade as Exhibit A.
For the past 18 years, that beach has been designated as a sanctioned clothing-optional beach — the only one in the state.
"It's drawing more visitors than the Florida Marlins and the Miami Dolphins combined," Mason said.
And the county is reaping the benefits of the $5 parking fee, which brings in about $1.4 million a year, he said...
"It's a destination beach all because it's a naturist beach," he said.
Mason's pitch for more nude beaches is especially well timed because Gov. Charlie Crist is looking to make significant cuts in state spending, including from the Division of Recreation and Parks...
To do that, the division has come up with a plan to close 19 parks across the state until the economy rebounds...
But instead of closing the parks, Mason has argued, the state can more than compensate for its revenue shortfalls by keeping all the parks open and changing the designation of a few beachfront parks into clothing-optional spots...
The John D. MacArthur Beach State Park in northern Palm Beach County had been an unofficial clothing-optional beach until the state took it over in the 1980s and began arresting nude sunbathers there.
A state appellate court decision ruled that being nude alone does not constitute indecent exposure, and that there must be some lewd and lascivious behavior with it.
"So you can have a naturist beach as long as it is in a designated area," Mason said.
Public officials, however, have been reluctant to make accommodations for nudists...
Like Mason's request this week, the sunbathing group made an economic argument to the tourism board, saying that a nude beach would bring in dollars to the county...
In today's budget climate, its harder to scoff at Mason's pitch without mulling over the pros and cons.
"It's been a successful formula at Haulover for 18 years," he said. "Why not give it a try?..."
A bare-bones budget or some bare-bones bathers."
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And if you don't want to trek all the way to Haulover Beach in Miami Florida, the rainiest state in the US, come to sunny Palm Springs, California. The sunniest city in the US with less than 3 inches of rain a year.
Give us, The Terra Cotta Inn clothing optional resort and spa a call at
800-786-6938. Visit our site at http://sunnyfun.com
Hope to see you in sunny Palm Springs!
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