(Spirit Lake)– The Spirit Lake city council Tuesday continued to discuss proposed regulations for cage fighting in the city.
Proposed new regulations brought up at Tuesday’s meeting would require proof of medical insurance of fighters; and anyone under the age of 14 would be banned from attending cage fighting events. 14 to 18-year-olds would be allowed only with a parent or guardian.
Those proposed regulations will be included in a final draft ordinance to be presented at the council for possible action at its next meeting.
But one councilman, Jeff Thee, said he’s worried the council may be overstepping its authority on the issue. Thee told the council “As much as I don’t particularly care for this sport, it seems like we’re on the verge of prohibition here. We’re starting to tell adults how they can enjoy themselves. And I just don’t agree. I watch our federal government, our state government overstepping their bounds and as I look around I complain about it, I don’t want to step into that arena. And I think what do we do next? Do we start walking into people’s living rooms saying what are you doing watching an R rated movie with your kid sitting there. And put that beer in the fridge.”
Kathy Hanson and Laurie Ruuf, two members of the public who want to see cage fighting banned entirely from the city, said they want the matter brought to a public referendum. But City Attorney Earl Maahs said he doesn’t think that’s possible.
The council has been wrestling with the issue since January.
