Grand Bend
tussles
with bare breast issue
BY CALE COWAN
Lakeshore Advance staff writer
Is it possible that all the fuss over public toplessness is simply the result of
a slow news day?
Maybe it's just one man's free (albeit ingenius) ploy for nationwide advertising?
Or maybe it's not actually happening. Have you seen any uncovered breasts?
The issue was bound to pop up in Grand Bend, already known for its hordes of scantily
clad sun-worshippers of both genders.
But while the land of sun, sand and surf has been mentioned often since the possibility
of bare breasts arose after the Ontario Court of Appeals ruled it was not obscene
for women to follow the male lead, it has been on a low simmer.
Mick Rappaport, owner of Coco's on Main Street caused the first stir with the opening
of his 'topless patio' -- he claims a play on words because it has no roof -- but
it came up again a week ago at the Grand Bend residents association meeting.
Some were very vocal in their opposition to topless "chickadees" parading
the streets.
Village council and the mayor have remained neutral, stating and restating that
nothing can be done to curb a woman who feels compelled to sunbathe -- or stroll
the streets -- unemcumbered.
As for any police intervention -- that's not going to happen. It's legal.
"We just follow the law. It's legal as far as we know," Staff Sgt. Dennis
Adkin said from the OPP's Grand Bend detachment.
He said so far it has been a non-issue in Grand Bend and there have been no complaints.
While petitions have begun popping up calling on the province to implement new legislation
and leaders like Premier Mike Harris say it is only appropriate for women to go
topless at the beach, not on the streets, those in Grand Bend just keep waiting
for the floodgates to open.
Mother Natures has so far played the spoiler with her cool spring.
But last week was not cool and inevitably, the breast sightings have begun.
"People are just having fun," Rapport said after some of his patrons decided
to exercise their new freedom last week.
But while he wants to see Grand Bend exhibit a more mature -- "people gotta
grow up" -- attitude about this issue, it is unlikely to blow over quickly.
The residents association wants bylaws to keep it to the beaches and also suggest
church intervention while other tavern owners suggest it may not be appropriate
in their establishments.
Gerry Sanders, owner of Sanders On The Beach, said they don't want topless women
on the patio. He feels it crosses the line when topless women venture off the beach.
"It's very hard, because men come up from the beach and are topless,"
he said, referring to a potential double standard.
"If a woman does take her top off we'll say 'we would like to to cover up',
but if it should become ugly, we willleave them alone."
In the dining room, however, everyone wears a shirt. And no woman has yet bothered
to test his leniency on the patio.
"I think it's really ridiculous," Sanders said of the whole controversy,
wishing Queen's Park had set a clear standard. "But it's the law and they can
do what they want."
It's a similar sentiment at J.D.'s Summer House, where they have also not had any
topless patrons and aren't sure how they will deal with the issue if it arises.
"It's private property so we have the option to ask them to put a top on,"
said co-owner Jim Davies, who said they will deal with the question only if it presents
itself.
However, he said it would not be considered appropriate behavior as they are primarily
an eating establishment.
"It probably would not go over well with our other customers," he said.
That pretty much leaves Coco's, where Rappaport sees this as another example of
one interest in Grand Bend trying to impose its will on another.
"People have got to grow up, it's not going away," he said, adding that
the opposition to his unique promotional ideas -- like the topless manequins overlooking
Main Street -- only spurs him on.
"As soon as I get the vibe that I'm pissing them off, I dig in my heels. I'm
like a donkey."
Rappaport, who has butted heads with neighbors before over noise problems, claims
that Grand Benders don't appreciate what businesses like his bring to the community.
"It's good for Grand Bend. We've been on the CBC and in the newspapers,"
he points out, recounting how tourists have stopped in from as far away Sudbury
and Pickering.
He has no policy about toplessness at his bar and says there will be none, outside
of complying with the liquor, provincial and federal laws.
"(The residents) encouraged me to do this," he says now. "They should
have kept their yaps shut about the mannequins ... now they have live mannequins."
Private
beach owner
says topless not a problem
Lakeshore Advance staff
The Ontario Court of Appeals says it's okay for women to go topless on the beach.
But is it okay to go topless on Archie Gibbs' beach?
Gibbs, who owns a large chunk of the main beach at Grand Bend, has a simple answer.
"It's doesn't matter to me."
He has heard no complaints and besides, it's the law.
"I really don't have a comment. It's been ruled on by the province ... the
Court of Appeal, that's the top of the thing.
"You got to abide by the laws."
But while Gibbs could potentially impose regulations on his private property, he
predicts this issue over public toplessness will eventually die down.
"It's the same old thing; it will die on the vine and it will be all over with."