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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 1988-05-11, Page 6” »> r.< ftt n i PAGE 6. THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, MAY 11, 1988. Huron County Council bans smoking in chambers BY WAYNE STUBBS Anyone wishing to sit in on proceedings at Huron County Council and members of the organization who wish to smoke will have to find somewhere else to enjoy their habit because, in a narrow vote on Wednesday, May 4, councillors have decided to butt out the smoking habit. When the smoke cleared from the consideration ofthis recom­ mendation brought in by the county executive committee, the vote was 12 to 10 in favour of banning smoking. In the morning session of council Exeter deputy-reeve Lossy Fuller had stood and informed council members that later in the day there would be a discussion of smoking in the council chamber. At that time the idea didn’t sit well with some councillors. When the board of health report was presented and Dr. Maarten Bokhout, medical officer of health for Huron County was present in the chamber, Reeve Russel Ker- nighan of Colborne Township asked how second-hand smoke could harm people. Dr. Bokhout replied that the Surgeon General in the United States published a report which stated that type of smoke was worse than smoking itself. “We tend, at times, to use information which comes out of the United States,“hesaid. “There’stwiceas great a chance to non-smokers to have harm done to them than people who are exposed to the smoke from the material they light up.’’ After that thought sunk in with some people the doctor continued, “some people who smoke have fewer problems with their health than non-smokers.’’ He said that it depends on the group in an office rather than individuals who might be exposed to smoke. When asked by several council­ lors if he wasn’t creating a band-wagon effect, Dr. Bokhout said his job was to present information and give ideas. He said council might not necessarily be, “jumping on a bandwagon but rather a steamroller.’’ The doctor said he doubted there was any legislation on the county books about smoking in the council chamber. Exeter reeve Bill Mickle didn’t wantto push the non-smoking idea too far because the greater concern is clouds of polluted smoke found over some cities. Dr. Bokhout replied, “it seems easierto ’zap’ the individual rather than, ‘the group’ so that’s what we have to do.’’ He added that we’re not living in a part of the country where there seems to be a great deal of air borne pollution. On the subject of acid rain the doctor said, “we’re looking at pollution which causes acid rain. The Canadian government has been trying to deal with that with our neighbours to the south. Health units have a strong reason for dealing with that subject. One of the main problems with pollu­ tion is at Sudbury which has yet to be tackled.’’ Bayfield reeve Dave Johnston asked, “why shouldn’t we declare the entire building a smoke free environment? We can declare this chamber smoke free but across the hall people can smoke their heads off.” The Board of Health committee felt banning smoking in the council chamber was a first step. The entire building could be declared smoke free at a future date. Dr. Bokhout noted, “smoking is a form of addiction. I’ve seen people die from smoking because they can’t quit. It’s very difficult to quit smoking.” He added that he can’t stop people smoking because he doesn’t have the ‘legislative power.’ Clinton reeve Bee Cooke said the board of health committee didn’t have a problem with smoking. “We’re a non-smoking committee this year.” When the vote on smoking was taken and the non-smokers won the day council members were able to smoke until the end of the meeting but beginning Thursday, May 5 nobody was going to be allowed to smoke in the council chamber. Goderich Township reeve Grant Stirling couldn’t understand the problem. “We have no problem with smoking in this chamber, ’ ’ he said while some of his fellow councillors had cigarettes burning inashtrayson their desks. “I don’t know what all the hullabaloo is about,” he said. Jokingly the Goderich Township reeve later asked whether or not a police officer would have to be posted in the council chamber to ensure the ban was respected and enforced. After the council meeting ended deputy-reeve Fuller spoke on the new smoking ban. “I’m glad it wentthrough,” she said. “We as a county have to take a leadership role. ’’ She said the ban came to members of the board of health as a recommendation. “We decided to start in the council chambers and go from there.” Fuller said there will still be the chance for council members to smoke outside the chamber but someday hopefully that will also be stopped. Huron County Warden Bob Bell wasn’t completely sure what to thinkaboutthesmokingban. “I have some reservations on legislat- ing people on that subject,’’ he said. “People should be able to make their own decisions as long as it doesn ’t affect other people. ’ ’ The Warden felt the ban may effect council business somewhat be­ cause people who tend to be heavy smokers would have to leave the chamber in order to satisfy their habit and for a brief time their participation would be lost to the council. Bell noted that the smoking ban could work during the remainder of the life of this council but when the next group assemble in early December someone might bring forth a resolution to drop the ban and ifenough council members are in favour of the potential dropping of the ban another vote could overturn the decision taken at this recent meeting. Don’t be missing on May 12th! W May 12th is the date by which the Municipal Enumeration Notice mailed to your household must be completed and returned. Five easy steps to complete your notice Just look at the front of the notice and check the information shown . .. that’s all you have to do. The explana­ tions on the back are to give you further details if you need them. Step 2.If any of the information shown about occupants is incorrect, simply cross it out and write in the correction. Add information about new occupants, including children. If you don’t have enough space on the notice, attach a separate piece of paper with all the details. OCCUPAHT Complete section 5 • about French­ language education rights ... it’s new for this enumeration. In areas of the province where school boards operate both English and French schools, English-and French-language school trustees will be elected. _________________ If you have French-language education rights, you will < E/A be able to vote for French- ________!_______ language school trustees. Letters to the editor Heart Fund says thanks for the support at the bottom of the notice. ^kTOTT Return the notice Ut by May 12th in the postage paid envelope. Step 4.Sign your name in the space provided THE EDITOR, On behalf of the Board of Directors of the Huron County Chapterof theHeart and Stroke Foundation of Ontario, I would like to thank your paper for the excellent coverage given our ann­ ual campaign during February. $64,385. has been raised so far, an increase of more than $7,000. over last year. This increase is due not only to the newspaper coverage given but also to the oustanding efforts of all the canvassers, captains and area chairs in all the communities in Huron County. The residents of the county in turn responded to the work of the volunteers by giving generously to this worthwhile cause. The Board of Directors also wishes to acknowledge the time and effort spent on the campaign by this year’s campaign chairman, Chuck Rowland. Margaret MacLeod Public Relations Chair 357-1847 Loves those pictures THE EDITOR, 1 often feel the photography in your paper is outstanding and the picture on the cover of the April 27 issue once again upheld this opinion. It was the picture when I turned the page which made my week. Thanks for the good laugh. Sally Rathwell Clinton The information you give will be used by your municipal and provincial governments to: • prepare the voters list for local government elections to be held on November 14,1988 • direct your school taxes (as a tenant you can do this since part of your rent is for taxes) • identify English-language and French­ language electors for school board trustees You are required by law to complete and return this notice. • select prospective jurors • prepare the Ontario population report • update assessment records on ownership and tenancies • help municipal and school board planning The information will be used for these purposes only and the confidentiality of all personal information will be pro­ tected under the Freedom of Informa­ tion and Protection of Privacy Act, 1987. Ontario NEED HELP? If the information on the back of the notice doesn’t answer your questions, call toll free 1-800-263-1988 or contact the Regional Assessment Office shown on your notice.