You certainly can't accuse Bottoms Up of false advertising.But as soon as a nearly naked woman in a provocative pose appeared outside the Pinellas Park strip joint, people started complaining to county code enforcement, calling the sign gross, lewd, vulgar, filthy, explicit, even pornographic."Not appropriate. I have a 6-year-old daughter I'm going to pick up right now, She see it and asks questions. And I don't like that. I don't believe a woman should be portrayed by that," said resident Sydeny Buckingham.So Pinellas officers checked-out the ad and just cited the owner with violating the law.
But not for the part people are staring at.The county is letting the scantily-clad girl stay, but the flashing lights will have to go."No flashing, no twirling, no letters or numbers sliding in. They have to be instantaneous," said Pinellas County code enforcement director Todd Myers.Pinellas County's code considers lighted signs a distraction to drivers."It's not even because of the picture itself, it's because of the flashing? That's ridiculous. I think it's a little risqué," said Jessica Jansen.The county also says the club didn't get a permit for the lighted sign.But the owner says she has all the right paperwork and is fighting to keep her flashing sign.As for the model, she's staying."Sign code does not regulate content, as that is protected under the constitution," Myers said.If the county rules the company is wrong and owners don't take down the lighted marquee, the club faces fines from $225 to $450.
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