LAST WEEK'S READERS' POLL
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Last Week's Reader's Poll
A clothing-optional naturist resort is proposed for DeSoto County, pending approval of rezoning and other regulatory processes. What do you think should be done?
Most roads lead to Arcadia
Terra Sol's developers speak out
The naked truth
Results
4 -
878 - Resort should be allowed
111 - Resort should not be allowed
18 - Resort should not be in allowed in location because school is nearby
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Readers' Comments
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If you build TERRA SOL we will come and bring our money with us. It can only be a win-win thing for everybody in and out of your county. Go for it
Randy and Darlene , American Association of Nude Recreation
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Thank you for your poll, and the opportunity to respond. Florida is a gem among the States, given it's sunshine, climate and recreational opportunities. I am located the the Northwest, and it is precisely resorts like the one being proposed that attract me to travel to, and spend time in, your state.
Steve NTL , The Naturist Society
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As a seven-month snowbird in Arcadia for the past 13 years, I have absolutely no problem with a nudist colony in my backyard. I won't be a patron of it but it is a definite win-win situation for DeSoto County because of increased tax revenue.
Jeanne R. , Arcadia snowbird
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As a teen, I swam every day in a lake which I learned many years later was next to a nudist camp. I never knew it was there. High walls protected the privacy of everyone and discouraged the curios. This is a free country. I am not a nudist nor will I be, but the freedom of those of differing beliefs must be accepted, especially when that freedom does not infringe on that of others.
Carole Meyer , Marco Island
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My wife and I have lived in a nudist resort for 15 years. Although my shy wife was initially against even visiting here, she now says it has been the best decision we've ever made in our 41 years of marriage. She tells everyone she is the happiest she has ever been because she has made so many good friends here and is always doing something with them.
Our friends are the best anyone could want. The kind of people that are attracted, and allowed, here make this a safe crime-free and drug-free environment for recreation. Naturally, that makes it an ideal place to live in and for raising children.
We have an excellent relationship with the local community because of our annual fund-raising events for the Volunteer Fire Department and Rescue Squad. We also sponsor semi-annual blood drives, have bi-monthly Adopt-a-Highway litter pickups, and provide Christmas Dinner, presents and clothing to needy families, etc.
From what we've read so far, Terra Sol plans to become a fun recreation spot with family values like ours. If so, Arcadia will be proud to have them as a neighbor.
Les & Sally , http://www.whitetailresort.org/
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I am very thankful for the extension of support from people all over the country for Terra Sol -- many I have never even met. Those of you who live in nudist communities know how fortunate you are to live among others who accept themselves exactly as they are. I suppose it is from this strength that nudist resorts find their residents so willing to reach out into neighboring communities offering their resources.
Soon the Desoto County Board of County Commissioners will be asked to rezone the site for development. This select site is optimal for a new neighborhood because is does not disrupt any endangered wildlife, has no wetland issues, and complies with both the existing and proposed comprehensive county plans. The decision is not about “nude use.” Through this poll, the citizens of Desoto County are expressing their support for individual land rights.
Terra Sol will soon be an environment of safe and secure nude recreation. Nudists are people who are teachers, judges, business owners, pastors, and other people, just like you who work and raise families. We nudists have nothing to hide. We don’t feel nude recreation is a moral issue. A nudist is not a body lacking something (clothing). Rather, a clothed person is a whole and complete naked body, plus clothes.
Thanks to all. Please feel free to send me an email at info@terrasolresorts.com.
Don Wagner, owner, Terra Sol Resort , Arcadia, Fla.
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Just a note in favor of the "Clothing Optional" resort planned for the Arcadia area. I am a member of the American Association For Nude Recreation, AANR, and have been for many years.
I also had a small resort in the Naples, area, Southern Exposure of Naples Inc. I'm sure that a number of your readers were members of SE. Southern Exposure was an active member in the Greater Naples Chamber of Commerce and also contributed to various charitable groups. Hospice of Naples, now Avow Hspice, and the Abused Women’s Shelter are two of the organizations that SE supported.
I left Naples because property values and the tax base was such that it was not feasible to continue the Club on my small acreage, 7 acres.
I'm sure that if you contact the Greater Naples Chamber and the Collier County Sheriffs Dept. you will find that we proved to be fine neighbors.
I agree with your editorial, "keep an open mind" when you consider the rezoning for this clothing optional resort.
Jim Keiser , Ortona
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I lived in Japan for five years (1956-1960). At that time most families lived (and slept) in one room. My maid told me that children were aware of intimate moments. School children carried umbrellas and when nature called, they put up the umbrella. Families had "honey buckets" collecting the waste to use in their rice paddies. What I am trying to say is being nude is a normal thing. Being nude in public is not because we have laws against it.
I am not a nudist. However, a nudist colony here would be a good thing. Most of these folks are decent and honest people. They would be an asset to our county in many, many ways; including supporting the churches. When something is legal and the rules are followed, they should not be discriminated against. There are laws that designate certain businesses in certain neighborhoods, but to exclude them from the whole county is wrong.
Betty Dean , Arcadia
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Enjoyed reading the article about Terra Sol. The writer made a couple of references to it being a Nudist Colony. We have now been to three Nudist Resorts in Florida, none of which would be close to being a "colony". Seems that the writer is not informed or was trying to use the term to be inflamitory or derogatory.
As for its proximity to a high school, we just returned from Cypress Cove. Stopped and asked for directions, the person at the shopping center said "It's just down past the NEW high school. Seems that it's OK to build a high school near a nudist facility but not the opposite? I know of another resort that had a school built next to them with no problems as well.
Rich Meyer ,
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I have been a nudist/naturist for around 32 years, both in England and in Florida for the past 24 years.
I understand the “ungrounded fears” of some local people that opening a nudist community might bring unwanted activities to their neighborhood, but what most people are not aware of is, that the family clubs/resorts which are affiliated to the national nudist organization, `AANR,`( American Association for Nude Recreation), maintain a high level of security to maintain the safety of everyone, and prevent unwanted people from joining with others there.
Terra Sol will be such a club, where members can enjoy the normal day to day living and relaxation, as anyone elsewhere, but doing it whilst enjoying nature, without the necessity of being clothed.
Many people fear the unknown, and, as in this particular situation, should become informed as to what the true nature is, of having a naturist community in their area. Pasco County has approximately 6 affiliated nudist/naturist communities in its area for many years, and enjoyed the added prosperity, that they have generated, without any problems whatsoever, with the neighboring communities.
DeSoto County can also enjoy the same if they open their minds and hearts to this new community.
Robert Barnard ,
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This week's readers' poll
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