Tyler

Tyler City Councilman Nathaniel Moran, chair of the recently appointed Smoking Ordinance Task Force, announced today that the Task Force will hold a public meeting on Tuesday, Jan. 22 to gather community input about current and potential smoking regulations. The meeting will be held at 6 p.m. at the Harvey Convention Center, Hall One.

During the public meeting, community members will have the opportunity to comment on updating the city’s ordinance verbally or by submitting written comments at the meeting. Additional opportunities for public input will be provided once recommendations are finalized. It is anticipated that final recommendations will be sent to the city council for consideration in February.

The Task Force is comprised of nine Tylerites who represent several segments of the community, including business owners, the medical community and the legal community. Task force members include:

Nathaniel Moran, Chair, City Councilmember District 5

Chris Simons, Mayor Pro Tem

Bruce Carter, M.D., diagnostic radiologist

Bobby Curtis, owner, Tyler Building Systems and chair of the Planning and Zoning Commission

Rick Eltife, owner, Rick’s and Jake’s restaurants

Jonathan MacClements, M.D., Director of Medical Education and the Family Medicine Residency Program, UT Health Center; and President of the Smith County Medical Society and Health Authority of Smith County

Brian McCalla, sales manager for the Tyler Residence Inn and chair of the Tyler Area Chamber of Commerce Convention and Visitors Council

Felicity Reedy, president, Genecov Group

Robert Westbrook, owner, CiCi’s Pizza, former president of the East Texas Restaurant Association and the Smith County Health District

Machiea Worthen, owner, Wingstop Restaurants

“Gathering public comment is a critical step toward formulating any recommendations on updating the city’s smoking ordinance,” Moran said in a prepared statement. “The Task Force is committed to hearing from all interested parties so that we can strike a balance between protecting public health while ensuring we are not placing an undue burden on businesses.”

In general, Tyler’s current smoking ordinance, located in City Code Chapter 4, Article II, prohibits smoking in public places or public meetings when a “no smoking” sign has been posted in a conspicuous location by the party responsible for the meeting or facility.

-- submitted by Susan Guthrie