Mayor wants 'vile' t-shirt ordinance

ORANGE BEACH, Ala. - The mayor of Orange Beach said he has had enough of what he calls "vile and vulgar" spring break t-shirts.  A new ordinance he hopes to soon get passed would have the apparel behind closed doors in the stores, away from the eyes of children.

“We have a family friendly brand here.  That does not show that we’re a family friendly city," said Mayor Tony Kennon.  “What we’re doing is telling our kids there are no rules anymore; there’s no right and wrong; there’s no absolutes. You do anything you want and have fun because there aren’t any consequences anymore, and I am sick of it.”

Kennon wants the shirts visible to and sold to only people 21 and over.  The new ordinance would levy penalties to those who don’t comply.

Kennon said he encouraged Orange Beach residents not to take his word for it, but to go to the stores and look for themselves.  He said many folks did, and the results were exactly what he expected.

“They called us back and told us, ‘Tony, you all are exactly right. We have never seen anything this vile and vulgar in our life,’" Kennon said.  "It’s despicable, and it’s time to take a stand. Because if we don’t take a stand now, it’s just going to continue to get worse.”

Kennon expects the ordinance to pass unanimously Tuesday evening.