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February 16, 2012

County to amend smoking ordinance

Debbie Wachter Morris New Castle News

NEW CASTLE — The Lawrence County commissioners don’t want the public walking through clouds of cigarette smoke to get into government buildings.

For that reason, they are amending the county’s no-smoking ordinance to create a designated smoking area for courthouse employees and the public.

That area will be near the flagpole, between the domestic relations building parking lot and the county warehouse, across the road from the main courthouse.

A hearing for public input on the proposal will be conducted at 9:45 a.m. Feb. 28, before adoption of the amendment.

A previous board of county commissioners enacted an ordinance in 1991 to prohibit smoking from the county government buildings and grounds.

“There have been many complaints throughout the courthouse regarding the lack of smoking areas,” county administrator James Gagliano explained.

The courthouse staff has been taking smoking breaks on sidewalks, in close proximity to some of the buildings, and visitors are walking through clouds of smoke to go inside, he said.

“We want to change that ... and designate a specific (smoking) area.”

Commissioner chairman Dan Vogler pointed out the county cannot enforce no-smoking on sidewalks, because they are public and don’t fall under the jurisdiction of the ordinance.

Gagliano felt it might be better to desginate a site to accommodate those who need to smoke, Vogler said, adding the commissioners also may consider some type of enclosed area for smokers.

“I hope it can be done without any taxpayer dollars’ expense,” he said, adding, “I personally don’t feel we should use tax dollars to locate a place to keep them from exposure to the elements. That’s something we’ll have to work on.”

If the staff or jurors or the public who are at the courthouse for other means want to smoke, “there’s nothing we can do” to restrict them from smoking on the sidewalks, Vogler added. “Our intent is to find an area for them away from the entrances.”

Gagliano pointed out the existing ordinance is not only for employees but for everyone.

Vogler noted signs are posted throughout the courthouse grounds showing a cigarette with a line through it, indicating smoking is not allowed.

“It’s not an easy thing to enforce.”

(Email: dmorris@ncnewonline.com)

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