Alto rejects obscene materials ordinance

Council member Loretta Bosco made the motion to oppose the ordinance. Kathy Clark seconded the motion and Margaret Beaupre voted in favor of the opposition. Council member Gary Terrell did not vote on the matter. Council member Cathy Armour was absent from Tuesday’s meeting.

“I am very much opposed to this,” Bosco said.”There are state laws in place to keep pornographic material out of the hands of young people. And I don’t think we should try to legislate the morality of adults.”

Alto resident John Closs questioned the council about the decision on this issue.

Police Chief A.K. Kidd reported that store personnel are required to I.D. a person purchasing pornographic materials just like they do for tobacco products and alcoholic beverages. Kidd also stated that pornographic/obscene materials that are on display must be displayed in a way that no nudity is visible to the public.

City attorney David Syfan drafted the ordinance for the city after Steve Ford, pastor of Glory Bound Baptist Church, Alto, spoke to the council about this issue at the September council meeting.
Alto Mayor Audrey Turner said on Tuesday, “A petition was circulated around on this issue.”
Alto store owners were advised of the issue and the ordinance being proposed.

Turner said, “The store owner came in to say the pornographic material has been removed from both stores.”