No Topless Sunbathing for Asbury Park

MYFOXNY.COM - After reviewing a proposal to allow topless sunbathing on a city beach, the City Council in Asbury Park, N.J., has decided to shelve the idea.

Reggie Flimlin, an Asbury Park yoga studio owner who says she has sunbathed without a top in Europe and Florida, wanted the city to allow woman to remove their tops at the Eighth Avenue Beach.

"I think it’s kind of telling of the times," Flimlin told nj.com . "I think a lot of women feel like if they want to sunbathe topless, it should be their choice. For others to kind of get emotional about it, it’s almost like it’s still a taboo subject and not really representative of today’s mentality for women."

The council considered the idea, which had both supporters and detractors. Asbury Park has seen better days, and some believed topless sunbathing would revitalize tourism. But other said it could scare away families.

A city attorney briefed the council on city ordinances that prohibit topless sunbathing.  Council members declined to take action on the proposal.  There was applause when they decided not to approve the measure.