It is my intention to express support for our city council doing whatever it can to limit or prohibit the establishment of strip club on Whidbey Island. I believe the negative ramifications to our community relative to existence of such a business are numerous. They include the qualities and behaviors of the clientele attracted, the atmosphere of the town as family oriented, our tourist revenue, demands upon law enforcement, increased criminal activity, substance abuse, lower property values, and the moral climate provided for our children. This is not want I want for our community.

I have three daughters and strive to empower and encourage their self respect and sense of self-efficacy. I am disturbed to live in a town that embraces the archaic ideals that reduce an individual to the value of their physical form.

It seems telling that the investors and landlord that are reported to be working with this woman are not willing to give out their names in a show of support for her idea. If they are too ashamed to give out their names then they should take that shame as an indicator of their moral compass and that engaging in this is not a good idea.

Oak Harbor used to be a great place to raise children and was a community in which I wanted to be involved. It seems that this is changing. Have we really come to embrace the culture of hedonism and carnality?

Jennifer Schweinhard

Oak Harbor