Newville weighs prohibiting tobacco products in parks
Municipal parks are designed to provide a place where residents can take walks, play sports and enjoy green space and fresh air. And in the Borough of Newville, park air could get fresher.
Borough Council is expected to vote Tuesday on an ordinance prohibiting the use of tobacco products at Newville Community Park and the Newville Rails-to-Trails trailhead.
Council’s meeting begins at 7 p.m. in the borough building on West Street. Public comment will be accepted on the issue.
Borough officials said they have received complaints about the use of tobacco products near children using the park and the trailhead.
According to the proposed ordinance, all tobacco products will be prohibited from both the park on West Street and the trailhead on McFarland Street. Violators would be subject to a $50 fine plus the cost of prosecution.
If enacted, signs will be posted notifying residents of the law.
Last month, council members discussed the idea of drafting such legislation.
“I have no problem with it,” said Council President William Toth, who said he is a smoker. “They did it at the Little League park. I think it’s a good thing.”
“I don’t have a problem with the borough park, but I do have a problem with the trailhead,” said Mayor John Gatten. “The trailhead is open (air). Why do we want to limit that at the beginning?”
Gatten said he is against legislation that infringes on residents’ rights.
“I don’t like government interfering, especially when we’re trying to get people to come here,” he said. “You’re not going to see a lot of smokers, but you are going to see people who chew. Is it a problem? Are there cigarette butts or trash?” Gatten asked.
“Maybe it will eliminate a potential problem,” said Councilman Edward Sinkovitz.
“I have a problem with that. Government shouldn’t set limitations on people. If it becomes a problem, that’s a different story,” Gatten said. “If it’s not a problem, what’s the issue?”
Toth said the borough would be following similar non-smoking legislation that was passed by state legislators last year. The Clean Indoor Air Act prohibits smoking in restaurants and other indoor public places.
“Pennsylvania has set a law to not allow smoke in restaurants,” Toth pointed out.
“We’re not the state,” Gatten countered.
Councilman Benjamin Sweger, who suggested the ban, said he’s OK with the ordinance.
“I like it as it’s written,” Sweger said.
By Andrea Ciccocioppo, October 20, 2009 Cumberlink
