No-Dancing Policy in Calif. Town's Taverns Faces Opposition in Mayoral Race

ORANGE COVE, Calif. – Victor Lopez has been the mayor of Orange Grove, California for two decades. And the one rule that has remained the same: no dancing in taverns.

Now, the so-called mayor for life is facing two serious challengers, one of whom wants to lift the dancing ban.

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Republican challenger Manuel Ferreira said he doesn't know why Lopez is so opposed to dancing.

But Lopez labels public dancing a social ill, something that encourages indecent behavior and even violence. Lopez also contends that Ferreira wants to reverse the dancing ban because his wife is co-owner of a local bar and would stand to financially gain from the change.

The Democratic challenger to Lopez said he supports the dancing ban because he says it helps keep a lid on gang violence. However, both opponents say the no-dancing policy exemplifies the incumbent's stranglehold over the town.

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