Naturists to host candidates debate

LOXAHATCHEE GROVES — In the proper world of politics, it's hard to find a place for nudity.

Except in the new town of Loxahatchee Groves, where it's not a gimmick and certainly no novelty. The community has been home to a nudist resort for four decades.

And so it stands to reason that the town's naturist resort - and they prefer you call them naturists, not nudists - want a say in how this fledgling town will be governed.

On Thursday night, Sunsport Gardens Family Naturist Resort will host a debate, thread-free or not, to press Loxahatchee Groves' town council candidates on matters of importance.

Nine of the 10 candidates are fine with that.

"There's nothing weird about it," said seat 2 candidate Bill Louda. "It may be cooler, so we can expect clothes, and if you see some people around the pool, whatever, let them do their thing."

But one hopeful is not.

Seat 1 candidate Toni Vorsteg, who teaches children's classes at Our Lady Queen of the Apostles Catholic church, said she won't be there on Thursday because she doesn't want to put fellow parishioners or their children in a "potentially embarrassing situation."

Frank Schiola's not embarrassed. The seat 2 candidate, also a member of Our Lady Queen of the Apostles, will be there.

"Doesn't matter where it's at," Schiola said. "We can't pick and choose where to go for these debates, just like we can't pick and choose who speaks at town council meetings."

Sunsport Gardens owner Morley Schloss said nudity not mixing with religion is a popular misconception. Catholicism preaches against promiscuity, but that's different.

"It's really a hang-up Toni has," Schloss said. "Everything out here is entirely appropriate for children."

Sunsport isn't a flesh feast for fun or fantasy, Schloss said. Rather, it considers au naturel a route to body acceptance and connecting with nature.

"You can see people in all stages of life," Schloss said. About five families at the 70-family colony have children.

Still, Vorsteg wouldn't budge. She called her campaign a family affair that involves even her 10-year-old son.

Like Schloss, several candidates said Vorsteg's concern appears misguided.

"I don't think it has anything to do with family values," seat 5 candidate Ilene Rindom said. "It's a lifestyle, and they're entitled to it."

Vorsteg during the campaign has caught heat for some life choices too. Her husband in 2003 pleaded guilty to marijuana possession after authorities found 153 grams of the drug at Folsom Farms, the Vorsteg couple's home and nursery.

Bare skin won't bother Dave Autrey, Vorsteg's opponent for seat 1.

"I'm tickled to death to go out there personally," Autrey said. "They're a family community, and they have issues just like anyone else. They should be addressed, no pun intended."

The Sunsport Gardens Family Naturist Resort has been in Loxahatchee Groves for more than four decades. It sits on 40 acres on E Road and has 70 sites. About five of those sites have families.

On Thursday: Debate begins at 8 p.m., in the main pavilion, where clothing is optional. The debate is open to all Loxahatchee Groves residents.

At the resort: Clothing is optional throughout the grounds. Three places are mandatory clothes-free: the swimming pool area, hot tub and sauna.