Hi, my name is Nicole Hutchins. Back in September I petitioned the city of Centerville to allow for body tattooing to be allowed in city limits. This has been a very long process ultimately, after many exhausting meetings and many months as of this week centerville city has denied fine line tattoos and traditional tattooing in our city. The funny part about this is that I'm already tattooing legally in Centerville city but it's only allowed for facial enhancement which means above the neck permanent makeup is OK! i.e. eyeliner, lips, Eyebrows. I use the same exact needles and tools to perform the facial tattoos that I am currently legally allowed to perform in Centerville city.  When I petitioned the city in the beginning all I wanted to do was be able to perform fine line tattoos below the neck like a birth flower, a deceased loved ones anniversary date an initial, a small heart. Centerville city then told me it was a slippery slope and how would they govern what I was able to put on somebody's body.  They were fearful that it would turn into full sleeves and traditional tattoos. Centerville city is discriminatory in the fact that they allow me to tattoo on people's faces, but they will not allow for any other parts of the body to be tattooed on. Tattoos are protected under the first amendment and freedom of speech.

They say it's a zoning issue but, I am already tattooing in that zone but only for "facial enhancement" in the salon. The problem is they don't want tattooing in the city. 

This restriction on certain forms of tattooing is marginalizing a significant section of our local community, and indeed, the service industry as a whole. By extension, the city is losing potential economic benefits that accompanying this cultural shift towards increased acceptance of body art.

The Way Forward? A necessary amendment in Centerville's personal services code to incorporate fine line tattooing as a legal practice in a salon setting. 

The art form often deemed alternative or counter-culture constitutes a major part of America's right to freedom of expression. Let's move toward embracing this art form and fostering a more inclusive community. This is why I am advocating for the reform of our personal services code to reflect evolving social norms and affirm our commitment to uphold first amendment rights.

Please sign this petition and join us in pushing for a more accepting Centerville - where personal freedom isn't just a promise, but a practice.