1976-12-20 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

Session 1149, Minutes December 20, 1976 Page 12 of the requirements would be that the building be restored to its original condition, the City ought to require that a bond be posted. X-I:ATED MOVIES: Councilman Ifooney said he has received a letter from a citizen urging the Council to do everything possible to have pornographic movies removed from this community, and said he thinks something might be done through appropriate legislation, despite the Supreme Court ruling. Iyayor Kaufman explained that the issue is only one of the Supreme Court de- cisions, but it would mean dealing with the First Amendment to the United States Constitution involving Freedom of Speech. He said the thing he would be concerned with, and he has expressed this to other members of the Council, is that this Council does not establish itself as a censor board -- it Mould start with the movies, and the next step might be to move on to the Library Board, deciding that some of the books in the Library are not proper for stud- ez,t reading, and thereafter tarsen there are exhibits at the Library the Council would become the board of censors, perhaps deciding that those exhibits ought not to be seen. The Mayor suggested to the Council that the Actin- City Attorney ought to re- view this matter as to the appropriatness of the Council coming up vith any type of legislation, or any type of �:esolution. lie added that he doesn't think the Council is prepared to speal: for the City on this matter. iiayor Kaufman reviewed the safeguards, the procedures, that are followed in instances of this hind, and he added that he thinks the Council would find itself the laughing stock of the total community if it starts passing any legislation or continuing resolutions in terms of what people can or cannot see. He pointed out there are many people in this community who don't want other people estab- lishing these standards; everyone has his own prejudices as to what is appro- priate to view and what isn't appropriate to view. lie said this is the reason he is suggesting to members of the Council that an opinion be obtained from the Acting City Attorney - let the attorney tell the Council what the law is on this subject. Councilman Glickert said she thinks the feeling of many people in the community is that they are fed up with X -Rated movies and with violence on television, etc., and she said this was brought up rather strongly to those who attended one part of the national League of Cities Convention - a luncheon at which Reverend Jesse Jackson called for a sense of responsibility and a return of morality to the city. She said lie received a standing ovation from the elect- ed officials who were there. She observed that it had been a very moving point and one which she felt was a highlight in that particular convention. Councilman Glickert said she sees no reason why a letter cannot be transmitted on behalf of the Council to the owners of the three theatres located in Univ- ersity City expressing concern and asking for a sense of responsibility in programming. She said she believes if they show decent movies they will get patronage. Councilman Glickert said she thinks University City can benefit from the experience that Boston, Mass. has had in their porno district that has resulted in an upswing in crime, and she said her reaction has been that people in University City are very supportive of decent movies and don't want the other kind. Councilman Glickert said they are people of culture and they don't want University City to become the porno center of the County. Mayor Kaufman pointed out there is no objection to any citizen expressing his personal viewpoint, but when it is done on the floor of the Council, the Council