Mixed opinions over swingers convention

GRAND ISLAND, N.Y. (WIVB) - The town supervisor wants to make sure no laws are broken, when a swingers convention kicks off at the Grand Island Holiday Inn.

There's a lot of talk about the swingers convention, taking over a Holiday Inn.

"People have their own preference in what they wanna do, that's fine with me," said Tim Schmidt of Grand Island.

Opinions are mixed over the convention in Grand Island.

"In God's eyes, it's not appropriate and if it's not appropriate in God's eyes, God's eyes rules man's law at all times," said Bob Click of Grand Island.

But just in case, town law could be violated this weekend, supervisor Peter McMahon checked into it.

Indeed, there was the possibility of Grand Island codes being broken.

Grand Island Supervisor Peter McMahon said, "There's a law for example, that says you cannot have body painting unless it's for children. You can do it at a carnival, but not in an adult entertainment environment."

So, that has been taken off the agenda for the weekend.

It's also against town law to discriminate based on age, this is an adults only weekend here. However, the town attorney says it does not violate any law. The hotel is closed to the entire general public.

>> ARCHIVES: News 4 reported about swingers in WNY back in early 2008

The General Manager of the hotel tells News 4 that there is nothing going on this weekend that will violate any zoning codes.

He's spoken with organizers who are aware of all the attention the convention is getting.

"It's a choice of a different lifestyle and that's what they chose to do and we don't judge them. We're here for any business legitimate and legal," Said Scott Zeplowitz of the Holiday Inn.

"I wish they had chosen a different location and I'm sure that the hotel does as well. They've been getting a lot of bad publicity from it," said McMahon.

The hotel will have security there to be sure there are no lewd public displays over the next four days.

Supervisor McMahon tells News 4 that the health department will be at the hotel on Monday, for an inspection.