Knopp supports Scouts' bid for permit (Norwalk CT)

The Stamford Advocate ^ | 9/27/2004 | Lisa Charnoff

[RonF]

NORWALK -- The Common Council cannot legally deny a Boy Scout troop use of Shady Beach for a recruitment event despite the national group's policy of excluding homosexuals, Mayor Alex Knopp said yesterday. To prevent the Scouts from using the beach would be a violation of First Amendment rights, Knopp said. "There are many decisions in which courts have held that a municipality's decision to deny a permit to a group based on racial, religious or political beliefs was unconstitutional," he said.

[RonF]

Looks like the Mayor is getting competent legal advice. Now the question becomes whether a majority of the City Council is more worried about the BSA or the taxpayers.

It's worth reading the rest of the article, as the differences between this situation and others are explained in detail. Gotta give it to the Mayor, he's done a thorough job of working through what his options are and the likely consequences.