UPDATE: Health Inspector Visited Kilted Mermaid In Search of 'Used Sex Toys'
Department of Business and Regulation official performs partial health inspection in response to formal complaint and multiple phone calls.
On April 18th, The Division of Hotels and Restaurants at the Department of Business and Regulation (DBPR) sent their health inspector to Kilted Mermaid in search of the ‘used sex toys (preferably dildos) that Vice Mayor Linda Moore had requested from her 3200 Facebook followers on April 9th. The report, written by inspector, Kimberly Schneider, says, “Focused inspection conducted to investigate the complaint allegations. Walked throughout kitchen and all storage area.”
The complaint referenced was filed by Jennifer Pippin who is a full-time Certified Nurse Operating Room (CNOR). In her complaint filed online she wrote, “The owner is collecting used sex toys at this restaurant where people are eating and drinking daily. This is definitely a violation of the health department in an establishment where people are actively dining. Below is the post on social media and a screenshot in case it’s deleted.”
The visit by the health inspector was a ‘partial inspection’ meaning that they will return unannounced to complete their findings. Phase one of the inspection showed no violations or discovery of the requested ‘used sex toys.’ Reached for comment, Mrs. Pippin said, “I spoke with Krista Woods at the Division of Hotels and Restaurants who told me, they had a lot of phone complaints from the Facebook post, and, when they approached the owner of Kilted Mermaid, Linda, she told them that she took the post down.”
After the Sunshine Journal broke the story online that evening, many Vero Beach residents voiced their concerns online and began calling the city government and the DBPR. The following day around 6:00 PM, Ms. Moore pulled down the request and issued a statement online. Mrs. Pippin remarked, “The second post Linda made was not an apology nor did it say she wouldn’t be collecting the used dildos any longer.”
In fact, on the thread Ms. Moore wrote a reply to an individual who enthusiastically hoped they would see the completed art project. The Vice Mayor wrote, “Well, me too, but I’m not sure if it’s going to happen or not.”
The Kilted Mermaid went through a thorough inspection on March 22nd where they received a warning regarding cleaning measures in certain areas. They were quickly corrected and found to have met standards on March 26th.
Four days after Inspector Schneider did not find any used sex toys or other health violations, school board member, Dr. Gene Posca called for The Vice Mayor’s resignation over this matter at the April 22nd school board meeting. Dr. Posca is board certified in internal medicine with degrees in Molecular Biology, Bio-Chemistry and Mathematics with a Doctorate of Medicine. “She specifically requested used ones which would most likely be covered with things like E coli, klebsiella, proteus and plenty of other dangerous bacteria that you can’t have in a restaurant.” he said.
Because Mrs. Pippin is also chairwoman of the local Moms for Liberty chapter, some said it was politically motivated. At the time, Mrs. Pippin said, “I wasn’t offended by the post. It’s disgusting and everyone should cringe at ‘used sex toys’ going into a restaurant.”
Fortunately, there are none stored under the mermaid’s kilt.
“Fortunately, there are none stored under the mermaid’s kilt.” - this is an ironically humorous statement on its own…. But on a different note-Unsanitary conditions notwithstanding, why do politicians think they can do or say things without regard to discretion. Cases in points the vice mayor and Dr Posca (regarding the graduation ceremony)?