Aldermen Poised to Vote on Smoking Ban
Time was, you could buy tobacco and hemp by the pound in the downtown Parkville markets. On Tuesday April 7, residents and visitors alike may not be allowed to smoke in any public place within city limits – a ban on smoking that would mirror trends occurring around the metropolitan region more and more with each passing year.
Discussion revolving around a smoking ban is not new news in Parkville – the topic was first seriously broached in 2004 by then Ward 1 Charlie Poole. Poole was ultimately unable to gain any sort of consensus with the board and the matter was dropped when Poole decided not to run for re-election.
The matter again gained steam with the election of Gerry Richardson to Parkville mayor. After an ad-hoc committee led by Gia McFarlane, an ordinance was finally put forth but voted down as being too restrictive by aldermen in a 5-3 vote. Then, in October, the issue surfaced again, and after several work sessions, the board is planning on voting on an ordinance on April 7…a watered down version that excludes bars and restaurants with less than 50 seats and private member organizations that were in existence before the ordinance would take place – namely The National Golf Club and American Legion, the most outspoken opponents of the ordinance since its inception.
The law further states that the private clubs could not allow children under 18 in their establishments and the law would not go into effect until April 7, 2011.
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