May 21, 1997

COUNCILLOR IN `COVERUP' CONSPIRACY

By LAURA BOBAK
Ottawa Sun
  A city councillor doesn't mind women swimming topless, as long as they stay in designated areas of public beaches and only show up at city pools at certain times.
  Coun. Allan Higdon says he will propose a compromise motion at council today that would impose such restrictions on topless bathers. Otherwise, signs would be posted stating swimmers are required to wear "modest attire."
  "I'm saying if you want to swim semi-nude, go ahead -- over there, in that designated area," said Higdon. "The intent of my motion is to make sure we respect the different values of everyone in our community."
  Higdon made a similar motion at a committee meeting last week that was voted down. Instead, the committee supported a staff report suggesting topless swimming be allowed.
  Higdon hopes to garner enough support to pass it today.
  He's backed by Ottawa Mayor Jacquelin Holzman, who supports Kanata's policy forcing women to cover up at pools and other city facilities.
  "If we put up a sign, there is some ability for us to have some influence on what women wear in our buildings," said Holzman.
  "What could come next? Do our employees come to work topless on hot summer days? What about the lifeguards themselves?"
  The idea would stand up in court only if applied to closed, controlled, indoor facilities, not parks or beaches, said city solicitor Jerry Bellomo.
  But councillors Richard Cannings, Elisabeth Arnold and Stephane Emard-Chabot say they won't budge on the decision made last week.
  Jim Watson and Diane Deans couldn't be reached yesterday, but last week they supported the staff policy.
  "Everyone who says we have a choice (on this) is grandstanding," said Cannings, adding the issue has received attention from news media as distant as Seattle.
  Arnold argued the term "modest attire" is impossible to define.
  "What does it mean? I think that could be open to challenge as well. I think we should not be creating an issue where there isn't one. We've got way more important issues to deal with."
  In addition to the mayor, Higdon appears to have the support of councillors Karin Howard, Ron Kolbus and Brian Mackey, which would even up the vote, leaving Joan Wong to break the tie.
  Wong's assistant Paul Watson said she was leaning toward supporting the staff motion.
  "She is certainly not going to vote for anything that won't stand up in court," Watson said. "We're in a bit of a legal vacuum."

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