Maplewood Mayor White Questioned by Riverfront Times on Discrimination Ordinance
Maplewood Councilman Tim Dunn, who introduced the ordinance, said the law wouldn't protect peeping-toms.
Maplewood Mayor James White gave a scenario at the Sept. 11 city council meeting of a male "convicted sexual pervert" opening shower curtains in a women's locker room if a law were passed prohibiting discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity.
He said if it passed, that person would be protected.
A Sept. 12 Patch article on the meeting prompted an article in the Riverfront Times on Sept. 13. The reporter called White for clarification on the ordinance, and he said the city manager said the document couldn't be released.
After the council meeting, White, who spent 30 years as an officer with the St. Louis County Police and 10 years as Maplewood chief of police said it could happen.
"That's the old policeman in me," White said.
The Riverfront Times reached Councilman Tim Dunn, who introduced the ordinance, who, according to the RFT, said the law would not protect "peeping-toms."
Dunn was quoted in the Riverfront Times:
"If the guy makes it out of the pool bathroom and my wife is in there, they may be able to prosecute what's left of his body," he jokes. "I think the system -- the police, prosecutors and judges -- can handle it."
The ordinance received more yes than no votes in two readings at the Sept. 11 meeting.
The council could hear the third and final reading, and pass the ordinance, at the Sept. 25 council meeting, though an agenda for the meeting hasn't been released.
RobinReese
10:13 am on Thursday, September 20, 2012
I am shocked by the lame excuses that this man gave. How does this discrimination still exist in St. Louis?I am a maplewood business own and I would hate to.have to move. I am ashamed of Maplewood right now.
TP
7:37 pm on Thursday, September 20, 2012
Don't be ashamed of Maplewood. This was not representative of our community. Mayor White received very little support from the council members and even less from the large audience in attendance. These statements were made by one man - NOT our community.
RobinReese
10:14 am on Thursday, September 20, 2012
maybe they need to make a separate "peeping tom" law! jeez.
mlk
2:31 pm on Thursday, September 20, 2012
Robin -hypothetically....your young child is in the changing room at the pool and a man (that today has decided he is a woman) comes in and exposes himself to your child. How would you react? Mostly likely you would call the police. Under this ordinance nothing could happen to this man. I believe that the Mayor just wants the ordinance rewritten so that there is some protection for you and your family. This is not a lame excuse. We live in a world were this can and will happen.