Nudist campground permit denied
 

Friday, November 22, 2002 Posted: 2:57 PM EST (1957 GMT)



DAYTONA BEACH, Florida (AP) -- A couple who have turned part of their property into a nudist campground for the city's annual Bike Week and Biketoberfest have been denied a permit.

Eddie and Suzy Colosimo had asked the Volusia County Council for permission to continue the couple's clothing-optional campground tradition, but were denied by a 6-1 vote Thursday.

"We'll see them in federal court," Eddie Colosimo said.

The couple came before the county because a nearby campground complained after seeing an advertisement for the Colosimo's party in a biker magazine. By advertising the event, and taking donations from guests to defray expenses like portable toilets and shower facilities, some council members said the Colosimos were operating a commercial campground.

"It really doesn't have much to do with whether they have clothing on or clothing optional," Councilwoman Pat Northey said. "It's an expansion of camping activity."

In the past, the county has issued cease-and-desist orders against the Colosimos during nude campouts, threatening fines of $1,000 a day or arrests if they failed to comply.

Eddie Colosimo said he became a nudist about nine years ago and has never profited from accepting $10 nightly donations to his guests.