Pleasant Grove OKs decency proclamation

PLEASANT GROVE — There's a cover up going on in Pleasant Grove. But it has nothing to do with shady political deals.

In response to pleas from citizens passionate about making sure children aren't exposed to racy publications, the City Council on Tuesday decided to encourage businesses to cover up explicit merchandise.

The council voted to adopt a proclamation that suggests to merchants that adult reading materials should be placed out of the view of children.

Still, to some folks who are leading the charge against the display of bikini-clad models on magazine covers, passage of a proclamation isn't enough.

Several told the council that other cities have passed resolutions — not proclamations — asking businesses to cover up spicy pictures on publications.

Resolutions, they said, are more permanent and more respected than proclamations.

In April, Pleasant Grove rejected the idea of a "Child-Appropriate Standard" resolution and decided to consider a proclamation instead.

Councilman Lee Jensen said that in his eyes, the proclamation was best for the city. If neither a proclamation nor a resolution is legally binding and they both serve the same purpose, the proclamation is the best alternative, he said.

Kristen Shumway, from the Bountiful-based Citizens for Families, said she hoped for a resolution because a proclamation is too weak.

Shumway originally asked the council to adopt a resolution, which called for the city to, among other things, promote the protection of children from sexually explicit materials, including magazines.

Businesses who comply would get a "family-friendly" window sign.

She said proclamations often get ignored and she wants the City Council to have something to guide them in the future. Shumway said she believes a resolution would serve that purpose.

Council members said their concern is that if a resolution is in place it leaves the city more susceptible to lawsuits. While they are concerned with the well-being of the city's children, they are happy to adopt a proclamation instead.