Poll: "Aldermen move toward banning smoking at city recreation areas"

From The Journal Times.com:

"RACINE — Outdoor smoking would be banned in all city recreational areas under an ordinance alderman have directed the city attorney to formulate.

"Meeting as a Committee of the Whole on Monday evening, aldermen voted 7-1 to have the ordinance drafted. It would prohibit smoking and smoking by-products such as cigar and cigarette butts in city parks and park shelters, golf courses, playgrounds, beaches and sports complexes such as Horlick Athletic Field. The ordinance as proposed would include designated parking areas.

"The discussion and vote followed a presentation about smoking and its effects by Racine Health Department Administrator Dottie-Kay Bowersox. She said 845 municipalities across the country have passed smoke-free-park legislation, and 170 so far have banned smoking on beaches.

"In her presentation she cited Parks Superintendent Mike Willis’ statement that smokers are a particular problem on city beaches. Cigarette butts cast aside can only be collected by hand, and are left behind by the thousands while taking approximately 15 years to decompose.

"11th District Alderman Greg Helding said he was more concerned with the litter than the smoking but said, 'If you go after one you have to go after the other.'

“'I think it’s a great idea,' said 3rd District Alderman Michael Shields. But he wanted to know the fiscal impact and how such an ordinance would be enforced.

"Bowersox said a $7,000 grant would cover most or all of the cost of signage.

"And she said, 'The nice thing about our society is we’re self-regulating, we’re self-compliant.' Most people would voluntarily comply, she said.

"Sidewalks outside the parks and other recreational areas would become the available smoking areas, Bowersox said after the meeting.

"In response to a question, she said the prohibition would not include electronic cigarettes, because the federal government has not so far put them in the same classification with regular cigarettes.

"15th District Alderman Eddie Diehl voiced concern that a ban could snag some visitors from out of town who might miss the signs.

"The Committee of the Whole is comprised of the entire City Council but does not take final action. With four aldermen absent and Shields not voting, only 1st District Alderman Jeff Coe voted against directing the city attorney to draft an ordinance.

"It was clear a few were thinking about exceptions instead of a blanket ban. Sixth District Alderman Sandy Weidner, for example, said she might want to make exceptions in places where mainly adults play — for example, at adult softball games.

"And Helding questioned banning cigars on the golf courses, saying, “A cigar while golfing is as American as apple pie.'”

Read more:  http://journaltimes.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/aldermen-move-toward-banning-smoking-at-city-recreation-areas/article_4bc04cf8-1f91-11e3-8c0b-001a4bcf887a.html


I think this is asinine. I feel so bad for my hometown. Monsters are destroying it. As usual, lying worm Greg Helding wants one set of rules for himself and a different set for others.