Well we have made the local news on 3 major stations, and CNN. the question is how do we get this to die down without giving up our rights to live our life the way we see fit?
Suspected sex club faces investigation
Police chief says Hunt Club should be closed
City officials are investigating an alleged swingers club that entices customers to "explore the sensual and sexual side of the lifestyle" in a sleepy neighborhood off Turtle Mound Road.
The Hunt Club of Brevard -- a 2,534-square-foot house in the Oak Grove Acres subdivision -- on its Web site touts group and private rooms, a stage and dancing pole, swimming pool, buffet-style dining and "The Pink Cauldron" (a five-person hot tub).
Prompted by complaints from neighbors, two undercover Melbourne police officers -- one male, one female -- posed as a couple, and toured the house in late-March, Police Chief Don Carey said. Inside, the officers noticed a stripper pole and swinging sex chair, and they learned one of the bedrooms was converted into an "observation room," he said.
No lawbreaking activities were noted, Carey said -- "they were consenting adults doing stuff in private that wasn't criminal" -- and the police investigation was closed with no charges filed.
Regardless, Carey believes The Hunt Club is an illegal establishment that should shut down.
"It's my opinion that the people there are operating a business out of their home. They're violating the zoning in that area, because they're not allowed to have customers in their home," Carey said. "It is a business. If they feel differently, they can challenge us in the courts."
Kirsi Page, one of the operators of The Hunt Club, said there is nothing illegal or improper about the establishment.
The 1.3-acre property is zoned for residential use, said Cindy Dittmer, Melbourne's planning and economic development director. City Attorney Paul Gougelman said officials still are researching "various angles" that could reveal municipal code infractions.
Friday night, nearly two dozen neighbors protested outside the house, said Larry Groves, who lives across the street. One large sign displayed the message "The Hunt Club Not Wanted Here."
Despite their efforts, Groves said more than 20 vehicles pulled into the driveway and parked in the backyard.
"Some of the cars left, and came back with their tags taken off. Some of them didn't care," he said.
Groves said he is worried about crime and sexual predators.
"This is a dead-end cul-de-sac. We don't have any bylaws in the development here that prevents anything like that. It can happen in any neighborhood in Melbourne," he said. "Whether they broke the law or not, the intent is not good for a quiet community. We're trying to protect our investments and our lifestyle and our morality level."
The eight houses on Beth Lane -- including the alleged sex club -- range in market value from $286,000 to $481,000, Brevard County Property Appraiser's Office records show.
The house's rental tenants are Richard Spalding and Kirsi Page.
In an e-mail interview on Monday, Page said The Hunt Club was founded in mid-January, and the organizers do not allow illegal activity, drugs or prostitution.
"Our opinion of our neighbors is that they are bigots. Our sexual practices and preferences are different from what they think is OK, so they are trying to make our lives miserable," Page wrote. "We know that we're OK, and that they are close-minded and full of hate."
Admission at The Hunt Club is advertised as free, although donations are accepted. "Secure parking" is provided by a fenced yard behind the house, and online membership registration is available.
The group seeks investors to ante up $60,000 by mid-June to build a 4,000-square-foot complex with eight bedrooms.
"What you see when you come to a party is a group of adults mingling, flirting, laughing and sometimes dancing. The parties are very quiet, to the point that you cannot hear any noise out on the street in front of our house," Page stated.
"I think that our neighbors' imagination is much more depraved than anything we are actually doing. And I think they've forgotten something important . . . having sex is not illegal," she wrote.
Already this month, this private residence has hosted various sexually themed Friday events -- including a pajama party and a secretary-teacher-schoolgirl soiree, an online schedule indicates. This week, the house plans to host a "Naughty Girls, Ice Cream and High Heels Social."
Page said in a subsequent interview that the club is not a business. Rather, some attendees make voluntary donations to help cover costs for food, towels and sheets, she said.
The tenants rent the home from Pennsylvania resident Penny D. Hanson. In an e-mail interview Monday, she wrote she might hire an attorney to deal with club-related problems.
"I had no idea that my tenants were involved in this until my neighbors brought it to my attention," Hanson wrote. "I will not be renewing their lease in October because of 1) all of the problems they are causing within the neighborhood and 2) the extreme wear and tear these parties are causing on my home and yard."
Melbourne's 39-acre adult-entertainment district lies miles to the south, along North Drive. The city's sole licensed sexually oriented business is Hot Flixx, a Sarno Road adult bookstore.
Sindarellaz, a nude dance cabaret in the Sarno Industrial Park that featured women taking showers onstage, shut down in May 2006 after a police crackdown.
Police chief says Hunt Club should be closed
City officials are investigating an alleged swingers club that entices customers to "explore the sensual and sexual side of the lifestyle" in a sleepy neighborhood off Turtle Mound Road.
The Hunt Club of Brevard -- a 2,534-square-foot house in the Oak Grove Acres subdivision -- on its Web site touts group and private rooms, a stage and dancing pole, swimming pool, buffet-style dining and "The Pink Cauldron" (a five-person hot tub).
Prompted by complaints from neighbors, two undercover Melbourne police officers -- one male, one female -- posed as a couple, and toured the house in late-March, Police Chief Don Carey said. Inside, the officers noticed a stripper pole and swinging sex chair, and they learned one of the bedrooms was converted into an "observation room," he said.
No lawbreaking activities were noted, Carey said -- "they were consenting adults doing stuff in private that wasn't criminal" -- and the police investigation was closed with no charges filed.
Regardless, Carey believes The Hunt Club is an illegal establishment that should shut down.
"It's my opinion that the people there are operating a business out of their home. They're violating the zoning in that area, because they're not allowed to have customers in their home," Carey said. "It is a business. If they feel differently, they can challenge us in the courts."
Kirsi Page, one of the operators of The Hunt Club, said there is nothing illegal or improper about the establishment.
The 1.3-acre property is zoned for residential use, said Cindy Dittmer, Melbourne's planning and economic development director. City Attorney Paul Gougelman said officials still are researching "various angles" that could reveal municipal code infractions.
Friday night, nearly two dozen neighbors protested outside the house, said Larry Groves, who lives across the street. One large sign displayed the message "The Hunt Club Not Wanted Here."
Despite their efforts, Groves said more than 20 vehicles pulled into the driveway and parked in the backyard.
"Some of the cars left, and came back with their tags taken off. Some of them didn't care," he said.
Groves said he is worried about crime and sexual predators.
"This is a dead-end cul-de-sac. We don't have any bylaws in the development here that prevents anything like that. It can happen in any neighborhood in Melbourne," he said. "Whether they broke the law or not, the intent is not good for a quiet community. We're trying to protect our investments and our lifestyle and our morality level."
The eight houses on Beth Lane -- including the alleged sex club -- range in market value from $286,000 to $481,000, Brevard County Property Appraiser's Office records show.
The house's rental tenants are Richard Spalding and Kirsi Page.
In an e-mail interview on Monday, Page said The Hunt Club was founded in mid-January, and the organizers do not allow illegal activity, drugs or prostitution.
"Our opinion of our neighbors is that they are bigots. Our sexual practices and preferences are different from what they think is OK, so they are trying to make our lives miserable," Page wrote. "We know that we're OK, and that they are close-minded and full of hate."
Admission at The Hunt Club is advertised as free, although donations are accepted. "Secure parking" is provided by a fenced yard behind the house, and online membership registration is available.
The group seeks investors to ante up $60,000 by mid-June to build a 4,000-square-foot complex with eight bedrooms.
"What you see when you come to a party is a group of adults mingling, flirting, laughing and sometimes dancing. The parties are very quiet, to the point that you cannot hear any noise out on the street in front of our house," Page stated.
"I think that our neighbors' imagination is much more depraved than anything we are actually doing. And I think they've forgotten something important . . . having sex is not illegal," she wrote.
Already this month, this private residence has hosted various sexually themed Friday events -- including a pajama party and a secretary-teacher-schoolgirl soiree, an online schedule indicates. This week, the house plans to host a "Naughty Girls, Ice Cream and High Heels Social."
Page said in a subsequent interview that the club is not a business. Rather, some attendees make voluntary donations to help cover costs for food, towels and sheets, she said.
The tenants rent the home from Pennsylvania resident Penny D. Hanson. In an e-mail interview Monday, she wrote she might hire an attorney to deal with club-related problems.
"I had no idea that my tenants were involved in this until my neighbors brought it to my attention," Hanson wrote. "I will not be renewing their lease in October because of 1) all of the problems they are causing within the neighborhood and 2) the extreme wear and tear these parties are causing on my home and yard."
Melbourne's 39-acre adult-entertainment district lies miles to the south, along North Drive. The city's sole licensed sexually oriented business is Hot Flixx, a Sarno Road adult bookstore.
Sindarellaz, a nude dance cabaret in the Sarno Industrial Park that featured women taking showers onstage, shut down in May 2006 after a police crackdown.
WOW
So what is the latest news on the Hunt club
So what is the latest news on the Hunt club
Actually there is a better article about us at abcnews.com and some great comments
http://abcnews.go.com/US/story?id=4716226&page=1
http://abcnews.go.com/US/story?id=4716226&page=1
The Boy Scouts of America IS a business. They are registered as a non-profit. Had the Hunt Club registered, they would not be guilty of violating zoning code. If you want to have fun, you have to follow the rules. At this point, I'd tell the Hunt Club to register as a non-profit organization just like BSA, Elks, Exchange Club, and others.
I agree, the neighbors are the problem but if you don't follow the rules, you are asking for problems.
At least the police department didn't find anything illegal going on, they said that in their report, and closed the case.
I agree, the neighbors are the problem but if you don't follow the rules, you are asking for problems.
At least the police department didn't find anything illegal going on, they said that in their report, and closed the case.
actually if we registered then we would be a business and operating illegally under the current zoning rules of the city. nope we are not a business just a bunch of friends who like to get together.
-Richard
-Richard
this subject opens a can of worms.... there is alot of heated discussions... but this is by far a favorite of mine... basically in a nut shell .. like the popos stated there wasnt anything illegal going on... just a bunch of snooty neighbors thumbing their noses because they feel they can...just because "Swinging" isnt socially accepted as of yet... i state that because of the fact as society changes and evolves more widely things are accepted... now in some states they legally recognise gay and lesbian unions, marriage as lawfull comitments as hetrosexual unions and marriages and both spouses are entitled to benifits as male female marriages so its going to be interesting to see what evolves the next 10 years.... like ive said before... who is to say what is normal and acceptable as a society... all we have is learned values and been told what is right and what is wrong... what if for the last 2000 some odd years someont told us that multiple sex partners while in comitted relationships and or marriages is normal and acceptable.. thus people would now have houses where like minded people whom only wanted to have sexual relations with their spouse would go to have fun... and indulge in what would be considered their life style and swingers might be protesting them... so who is to say what is normal and acceptable..... some pompus un informed tight spinchered duff some 2000 years ago and people started believing him and followed suit..... not to ruffle feathers but for over a century F-LDS has belived in poligamy (a whole diferent subject) but they had a good start on passing beliefs down through generations.. but when they allegedly involved minors they broke laws set forth by our forefathers and thus brought into light their beliefs... but thats a interesting mixture of church and state.. church's beliefs vs what the state says is the law....whole new subject but back on topic.... id love to open a club here for one i dont like my fuggin neighbors... and two... its intriuging... those who know us know what i mean when i say that... im working on a play room at work... that has alot of things too big for most peoples houses... but then again a new topic... but the hold up on a club here locally i dont feel there is adequate support in this area... alot of ppls in this area arent as open as sara and i... we cant get fired or ridiculed at work... then again those who know us will laugh at that one... but back one last time to the topic at hand... we need more places to open their doors to groups of like minded people to get together and have fun and not be pushed around by snooty neighbors so people realize "OUR" groups are here to stay and will be soon accepted in societys mainstream..... and be whats considered as the "NEW NORMAL"... a far cry n a hopefull wish... but as accepted ya itll happen as enough people come to light. and as a new normal maby in a few thousand years... cool... dennis and sara
I don't really remember but Didn't these guy ( NASCA is an Association of Clubs) help Trapeze club in Ft Laurderdale several years back When they made National New.
Where you guys went wrong was advertising. If you would have just invited a few select "friends", had fun, accepted donations to cover that evenings activities, you would have been ok. Think about the analogy to poker nights. A couple of folks getting together on a regular basis, bringing their own drinks and food, playing cards. No big deal. But you don't see poker nights advertised on a website and accepting cash donations at the door.
So, either go the registered non-profit route like the BSA or go to the casual route like poker nights. You can't act like a business and expect not to be treated as one.
So, either go the registered non-profit route like the BSA or go to the casual route like poker nights. You can't act like a business and expect not to be treated as one.
Is there a web-site or was there a web-site??? Could you let us know what that site is; i.e., the dite address? That way those with a background might be able to help. Just a thought.
probley the best way to get the city fathers off of your back is to keep it limited keep it simple and keep it moving from one venue to the next. good luck
thank you for all of your suggestions. We will keep them in mind.
Now how many of you are up for a friday night party? say May 2nd?
Now how many of you are up for a friday night party? say May 2nd?
Would love to be there.. too bad I live in Utah . LOL
Keep up the fight. I wish you guys the best of luck.
Keep up the fight. I wish you guys the best of luck.
This is sadly another case of human nature fearing what they don't understand. We all have sex, some of us just like to have fun when we do. Their problem is that they are too afraid to do what they want and enjoy. 5 minutes of missionary isn't where it at. Keep up the good fight and nothing but best wishes.
R&S
R&S
party this friday in FL sound like fun however dont know where my ship will come in or when so have fun and wish i could be there
oh if i tryed to make sex last for 5 mins or more ex would get upset and no sex for a month glad she is gone
oh if i tryed to make sex last for 5 mins or more ex would get upset and no sex for a month glad she is gone
here read this:
http://randazza.wordpress.com/2008/04/23/hunt-club-swingers-parties-and-freedom-of-association/
totally cool. Yes?
http://randazza.wordpress.com/2008/04/23/hunt-club-swingers-parties-and-freedom-of-association/
totally cool. Yes?