Posted 1:07 am Wednesday, February 22, 2012
Jacksonville Council Approves Smoking, Trash Ban
By KELLY GOOCH
Staff Writer
Jacksonville residents will no longer be able to light up inside city buildings or dispose of waste in or on city streets.
That’s after city council members on Tuesday unanimously approved two ordinances, one restricting smoking tobacco products within city limits and another prohibiting discarding grass clippings, leaves, trash or rubbish in or on city streets, alleyways or sidewalks.
Councilman Rob Beall called the issue “polarizing” before making a motion to approve the smoking ordinance.
“I’ve (heard views) from both ends of the spectrum,” he said. “Both sides are passionate. I tend to sympathize with employees (who don’t want to be around smoke). … Jobs now aren’t plentiful.”
Beall also commended the smoking committee for its hard work in researching the issue.
Staff Writer
Jacksonville residents will no longer be able to light up inside city buildings or dispose of waste in or on city streets.
That’s after city council members on Tuesday unanimously approved two ordinances, one restricting smoking tobacco products within city limits and another prohibiting discarding grass clippings, leaves, trash or rubbish in or on city streets, alleyways or sidewalks.
Councilman Rob Beall called the issue “polarizing” before making a motion to approve the smoking ordinance.
“I’ve (heard views) from both ends of the spectrum,” he said. “Both sides are passionate. I tend to sympathize with employees (who don’t want to be around smoke). … Jobs now aren’t plentiful.”
Beall also commended the smoking committee for its hard work in researching the issue.
Mayor Kenneth Melvin noted that an online survey showed the percentage of people who support a smoking ban is close to the percentage against it.
“I have received more calls on this situation than (legalizing the sale of) beer and wine,” he said.
Officials weren’t the only ones weighing in Tuesday.
Ricky Richards, a member of the smoking committee, told council members that when he began looking into a possible ban, he didn’t think the data was as strong as it was in regard to how cigarette smoke affects nonsmokers.
“This ordinance is the No. 1 thing you will do …” he said. “We need to make sure our city is one of the leaders. We need to get this done.”
“I have received more calls on this situation than (legalizing the sale of) beer and wine,” he said.
Officials weren’t the only ones weighing in Tuesday.
Ricky Richards, a member of the smoking committee, told council members that when he began looking into a possible ban, he didn’t think the data was as strong as it was in regard to how cigarette smoke affects nonsmokers.
“This ordinance is the No. 1 thing you will do …” he said. “We need to make sure our city is one of the leaders. We need to get this done.”
He said the ordinance is not to keep smokers from being able to light up outside but rather to keep smoke out of a room where people are working.
Resident Thomas Paine, a self-described avid nonsmoker, said he was there to talk about “rights and liberty,” which he believes the ordinance will step on.
“This looks like another baby step of taking our rights away …,” he said.
“I picked Jacksonville (to live in), but I believe it’s an infringement on everyone’s freedoms and liberties.”
The smoking ordinance will take effect in 30 days.
Jacksonville officials also made efforts Tuesday to keep grass clippings, leaves, trash and rubbish out of the city’s streets and drainage system.
City Manager Mo Raissi said Monday that Jacksonville officials noticed residents put things such as grass clippings and shrubs into the storm drain, which should only have rain water running through it.
Those items can cause several problems, he has said, because they clog up the storm drains, causing flooding in neighborhoods.
“Most people, they know not to do that, but lots of cities, they have that ordinance that prohibits grass clippings blowing in the storm drain ...” Raissi said Monday.
“It’s been going on for awhile, and we finally got the ordinance together.”
Raissi has said if the ordinance passed, the city would first educate residents so they know it is now on the books.
The city likely will remind residents of the ordinance the first time they’re caught, he has said. However, repeat violators could be charged with a misdemeanor.
Resident Thomas Paine, a self-described avid nonsmoker, said he was there to talk about “rights and liberty,” which he believes the ordinance will step on.
“This looks like another baby step of taking our rights away …,” he said.
“I picked Jacksonville (to live in), but I believe it’s an infringement on everyone’s freedoms and liberties.”
The smoking ordinance will take effect in 30 days.
Jacksonville officials also made efforts Tuesday to keep grass clippings, leaves, trash and rubbish out of the city’s streets and drainage system.
City Manager Mo Raissi said Monday that Jacksonville officials noticed residents put things such as grass clippings and shrubs into the storm drain, which should only have rain water running through it.
Those items can cause several problems, he has said, because they clog up the storm drains, causing flooding in neighborhoods.
“Most people, they know not to do that, but lots of cities, they have that ordinance that prohibits grass clippings blowing in the storm drain ...” Raissi said Monday.
“It’s been going on for awhile, and we finally got the ordinance together.”
Raissi has said if the ordinance passed, the city would first educate residents so they know it is now on the books.
The city likely will remind residents of the ordinance the first time they’re caught, he has said. However, repeat violators could be charged with a misdemeanor.
