The Watchdog: County's take on planning, erogenous zoning

By ELISHA SAUERS, Staff Writer

Published 06/22/09

EDITOR'S NOTE: Ever want someone to growl on your behalf? From plowing to potholes, from sediment runoff to sewer blockages, the Watchdog wants to hear about your civic problem. She'll figure out which government agency is responsible, and follow up to see that it's handled satisfactorily.

Problem: The taste police

Some might say that Build-A-Bear Workshop isn't the only toy store at Westfield Annapolis mall.

Three anonymous e-mails from individuals who identified themselves as simply "concerned citizens for family values," caught the Watchdog's attention recently with...

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offensive - 2009-06-25 13:12:57

What is offensive to me, may not be to you and vice/versa. I'm offended when I see people with swasticas tatooed on their body while walking around the mall... I'm offended when I see 10 stores in the mall selling tube tops and mini skirts to 10 year old girls... I'm offended when someone stops me and hands me their religious literature. However, we don't need any laws or rules for those things... my offence is temporary and I can deal with it. Freedom comes at a price, it means some people may be offended by your words or actions or items hanging in your store. I'm all about protecting children from seeing and hearing some things... I just think it is a parents job to select what their child can see and hear, not the mall's, not the zoning board, and not some religious group that claims to speak for families but really only speaks for christian familes. Also, spencers wouldn't have these on the shelves if they didn't sell. bzzzzzz away people.

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B Kibbey - Annapolis, MD - Karma: Neutral

who cares, why hide sex? - 2009-06-23 00:15:15

kids need to know about sex, why should sex be treated like a taboo? there is nothing wrong with sex. people need to be open with their kids about sex. when kids see sex toys it's a great opportunity to talk to your kids about just how much fun sex is, the responsibilities involved, what makes for a great lover, what is acceptable and appropriate for their age, that there is a whole lot of humor regarding sex, sex is something to look forward to, there is nothing wrong with sex, etc... what caring parent would want their kids to grow up sexually inhibited or ignorant?

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Jennifer C. - Annapolis, MD - Karma: Neutral

hmm - 2009-06-22 18:12:46

If the worse thing my kids witness at the mall is a few vibrators, I kind of call that a win.
Could Spencers be a better neighbor and locate the items in in a discrete area or somehow discourage kids from going in the area--sure.
But maybe the solution is not anonymous emails to people who have no ability to affect change, but maybe a phone call or (egads) a face to face conversation with the store manager.
Spencers is like any chain store. They have a corporate floorplan and a corporate inventory. If they don't know about it, how can you blame them?

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John F. - Annapolis, MD - Karma: Neutral

Bad Taste for Westfield - 2009-06-22 15:59:50

Is this an indication that Westfield Mall is getting desperate for clients??? On the contrary B. Kibbey, "concerned citizens" need to speak out when they see something that is offensive. The squeaky wheel gets oiled!! It is up to the public to determine whether the "offence" is their business or not. I am very sure, my grandchildren will never enter that store. Spencer's used to have a pretty good reputation, sorry to hear its business practices have changed!!!

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Maryellen Brady - Edgewater, MD - Karma: Neutral

silly - 2009-06-22 12:08:28

These "concerned citizens for family values" folks are not worried about their own family values... if they were, they would simply keep their family out of that store and not complain to anyone. Instead, they want to try and sanitize the world for everyone. No thanks. Look, it's simple... don't want your kid seeing that stuff, don't let them wonder around the mall alone. The zoning rules on the adult bookstores are pretty funny too. Lighten up people, it's just sex... you woudn't be here without it.

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B Kibbey - Annapolis, MD - Karma: Neutral