Yikes! Domino Pizza Town in Florida

**Paula** · 03-03-2006, 04:02 PM

Yikes...

Pizza Magnate Modifies Plans for Fla. Town By BRIAN SKOLOFF, Associated Press Writer
Fri Mar 3, 12:36 PM ET

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - Domino's Pizza founder Thomas S. Monaghan, who is helping to bankroll the birth of a Florida town and university, backtracked Friday from comments that he'd like the community to be governed by strict Roman Catholic principles.

His ideas about barring pornography and birth control, he said, apply only to the Catholic university.

"There are a lot of misconceptions," Monaghan said Friday.

Both the town of Ave Maria and its Ave Maria University, the first Catholic university to be built in the United States in four decades, are set to open next year about 25 miles east of Naples in southwest Florida.

Monaghan's comments Friday contrasted with statements he made last year to a Catholic men's group in Boston that pornographic magazines won't be sold in town, pharmacies won't carry condoms or birth control pills, and cable television will carry no X-rated channels.

"I would say I just misspoke," Monaghan said Friday in an interview with The Associated Press. "The town will be open to anybody."

Monaghan had declined to comment earlier in the week, while his attorneys were reviewing legal issues surrounding his original ideas.

The American Civil Liberties Union of Florida had said it would sue if the proposals were instituted. Florida Attorney General Charlie Crist said he saw nothing in Monaghan's proposals that violated state law.

The town is being developed through a 50-50 partnership with the Barron Collier Co., an agricultural and real estate firm. Barron Collier and Monaghan will control all commercial real estate.

The town will not allow adult bookstores or topless clubs. However, it will merely suggest, not prohibit, businesses from selling adult magazines or contraceptives.

"We are not going to censor any of that information, but in deference to Ave Maria University, we are going to request that they not sell that merchandise but we are not restricting," said Barron Collier chief executive Paul Marinelli.

"The misconception we're trying to clarify is that this is not going to be a strictly Catholic town. ... I think it would be boring if in fact it was all Catholic," Marinelli said.

He said the town would welcome "synagogues as well as Baptist churches."

Barron Collier executive Blake Gable said homosexuals will be welcome despite the church's belief that homosexuality is a sin.

Also contrary to Monaghan's earlier statements, the town will not restrict cable television programming.

Marinelli said the town, expected to attract 25,000 residents, will offer affordable and extravagant housing, including seven different communities for groups from seniors to young families.

"We're just trying to create an environment where children will be safe on the streets, where they can ride their bikes and play ball in the park," he said. "We're truly just trying to create a town with traditional values."

**Kimmifunn** · 03-03-2006, 04:07 PM

I totally saw that this morning!

**Paula** · 03-03-2006, 04:14 PM

Do you think people will leave SoWal and flock to the Domino Pizza town? Will we lose the Funns who will be drawn to Domino Pizza Town for clean living?

**Kimmifunn** · 03-03-2006, 04:18 PM

Originally Posted by Paula

Do you think people will leave SoWal and flock to the Domino Pizza town? Will we lose the Funns who will be drawn to Domino Pizza Town for clean living?

Now you're just talkin' crazy Paula!

**Sheila** · 03-03-2006, 04:26 PM

Originally Posted by Paula

Do you think people will leave SoWal and flock to the Domino Pizza town? Will we lose the Funns who will be drawn to Domino Pizza Town for clean living?

Sounds like the beginning of one of Beach Crazy's "Threads of our Lives" installments.

**Paula** · 03-03-2006, 05:42 PM

Who me, talking crazy? Just think of the funn we could have in Domino Pizza town. Just think of what we could do for funn... ummm... we could... uh...l think maybe we could... ahhh, help me out a little here...

**ktschris** · 03-03-2006, 05:57 PM

I'm not sure but I don't think Catholics let rabbits in their town either

DD · 03-03-2006, 06:30 PM

Originally Posted by ktschris

I'm not sure but I don't think Catholics let rabbits in their town either

**Allifunn** · 03-03-2006, 06:44 PM

Originally Posted by ktschris

I'm not sure but I don't think Catholics let rabbits in their town either

strictly forbidden...that leaves alot of us out

**Amp22** · 03-03-2006, 07:05 PM

If a corporation can own a town, why not a religion?

A side note: if churches don't have to pay taxes, why should the fire deparrtment respond to a church fire?

**Kimmifunn** · 03-03-2006, 07:11 PM

Originally Posted by ktschris

I'm not sure but I don't think Catholics let rabbits in their town either

This Catholic does!

**Paula** · 03-03-2006, 07:14 PM

I should note that I was raised Catholic and have many fond memories of growing up Catholic yet this new Florida town kinda scares me. The press may be playing up the Catholic thing a bit too much, but I know the guy tried to create the same Ave Maria college in our town and the town didn't support it (Domino Pizza headquarters is in our town).

As for rabbits, I think they'd be OK in this new town because they have lots of babies and don't use birth control. However, they may not be monogamous and that may be a problem in the new town. They'd have to change their ways if they wanted to get admitted to the college, I'm sure. Or at least abide by a "don't ask, don't tell" policy.

**whiteyfunn** · 03-03-2006, 07:14 PM

Originally Posted by Kimmifunn

This Catholic does!

I bet you do.

**Rita** · 03-03-2006, 08:01 PM

Originally Posted by Paula

I should note that I was raised Catholic and have many fond memories of growing up Catholic yet this new Florida town kinda scares me. The press may be playing up the Catholic thing a bit too much, but I know the guy tried to create the same Ave Maria college in our town and the town didn't support it (Domino Pizza headquarters is in our town).

As for rabbits, I think they'd be OK in this new town because they have lots of babies and don't use birth control. However, they may not be monogamous and that may be a problem in the new town. They'd have to change their ways if they wanted to get admitted to the college, I'm sure. Or at least abide by a "don't ask, don't tell" policy.

You're wired tonight, Paula!

**Paula** · 03-03-2006, 08:44 PM

Yes, I just got back from SoWal last night and I haven't transitioned back to my regular life yet. I'll be fine by Monday morning, though.

Actually, we had an interesting discussion with the kids (and a few of their friends) about this town/college at dinner (with all joking aside). It raised some interesting food for thought for sure. There are many private colleges that cater to different groups, as well as cultures and towns (or parts of towns) that support particular cultural/religious beliefs. But this one seems to inspire some particularly strong reactions.