For outsiders, it wasn't a big stretch to think that this region produced a bikini ban. Southern Utah has made the national news for several goofy things over the years. A few years ago, La Verkin passed an ordinance declaring the city a United Nations-free zone and considered repealing the 17th amendment.

Virgin once passed an ordinance requiring a gun and ammunition in every residents' home.

Why not a bikini-free zone?

Well, the City Council quickly threw water on the whole controversy by saying it was all a big mistake — they never meant to word the rules the way they did.

"We should have concentrated more on what the word 'bikini' meant," said Laycook. "We meant we didn't want thong swimwear. Truthfully, there was so much to discuss on diapers and health issues."

Anyway, that's their story and they're sticking to it. The City Council changed the law. Thongs — not the kind you wear on your feet — are banned, but bikinis are allowed and so, too, are Speedos for men, unfortunately. Nothing was said about grown hairy men in tank tops or overweight persons in Spandex shorts, which was another unfortunate oversight.

"Reminds me of a refrain from an old cowboy song," said Laycook, 'I just don't look good naked anymore."'

Just because everyone can wear bikinis and Speedos doesn't mean they should.

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E-mail: drob@desnews.com