[Vision2020] Lewiston council OKs smoking ban

[Tom Hansen]

Courtesy of today's (April 15, 2014) Lewiston Tribune.

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Lewiston council OKs smoking ban
Move urges smokers to voluntarily forego lighting up when in crowded outdoor areas
The Lewiston City Council adopted a voluntary ban Monday on smoking in certain public outdoor spaces, but not without objection from two of its members.
Clinton Daniel and Ryan (RJ) Johnson said they don't use tobacco or approve of its use, but said asking people to not smoke at densely populated places like city ballfields goes too far.
"I have a problem with this," Johnson said. "I think it encroaches too much on our liberties."
He said he might support an ordinance that only asked people to not use smoked tobacco products in the designated areas because of the harmful effects of secondhand smoke. But including smokeless tobacco products was a step too far, he added, comparing it to a theoretical ban on unhealthy food like Big Gulps and cheeseburgers.
Councilor Bob Blakey said he also is against smoking, but saw both sides of the argument. Still, he said there is a problem with people using tobacco in places where people gather.
Lewiston Parks and Recreation Director Tim Barker explained that his department's advisory commission decided to include all forms of tobacco in its proposal as part of a broad public awareness campaign to promote healthy lifestyles.
Barker said the health department has pledged funding to help pay for the signs that will be installed in the designated areas that ask people to use tobacco away from crowded areas.
Daniel said much of the proposed ordinance was duplicated in the city's litter law, which prohibits disposing of items like cigarette butts and used chewing tobacco on the ground. The council approved his motion to amend the ordinance to limit it to only smoked tobacco products 4-3, with support from Johnson, Mayor Jim Kleeburg and councilor Ged Randall.
Electronic cigarettes are included in the ban.
The council approved the amended ordinance 5-2, with Johnson and Daniel voting against. Daniel said it would be pointless to approve a voluntary ban that has no penalties for violators.
In other business, the council unanimously approved two requests to vacate public land after separate public hearings. The first was to vacate city streets that were platted in the Vineyards tract at the top of 17th Street in 1912, but never built. The vacation creates one large parcel where Blum Construction of Troy will build a multi-unit apartment complex.
The other vacation was for a portion of a platted cul-de-sac at the end of 23rd Avenue that was also never built. The cul-de-sac includes a portion of a home built in 1980, and the homeowner asked the council to vacate the small area to avoid any future problems.
Kleeburg also read a proclamation celebrating Arbor Day on April 25, which the city will commemorate with a tree planting at 9 a.m. near the Lewiston Community Center. City arborist Riley Stark said the city is in the process of planting 100 new trees in parks and along rights of way, and the proclamation urged all residents to join in the effort by planting their own tree.

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Seeya 'round town, Moscow, because . . .

"Moscow Cares" (the most fun you can have with your pants on)
http://www.MoscowCares.com
  
Tom Hansen
Moscow, Idaho

"There's room at the top they are telling you still.
But first you must learn how to smile as you kill,
If you want to be like the folks on the hill."

- John Lennon
  
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