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The Admiral Coontz Recreation Center will become a smoke-free zone later this year.
Following a lengthy discussion of the proposal by members of the Hannibal City Council on Tuesday night at city hall, the council supported a recommendation of the Park Board and approved enacting a smoking ban in the facility for all public and private events. Under the current guidelines, smoking inside the building can occur during private events such as the Wing Ding, Chili Cookoff and wedding receptions.
When the smoke cleared the measure was approved by a 4-3 margin. Opposing the measure were Councilmen Kevin Knickerbocker, Jason Janes and Barry Louderman. In favor of the change were Councilmen Louis Barta and Jeff Lyng, Mayor Roy Hark and Mayor Pro Tem Jim Behymer.
With the vote tied at 3, Behymer, who earlier stated his willingness to “speak in behalf of those who do not want to be exposed to second-hand smoke,” voted in favor of the ban.
Speaking against the policy change was Knickerbocker, who is a non-smoker. His opposition was not based so much on eliminating smoking in the structure as it was limiting the personal freedom of smokers.
“I’m not in favor of the government regulating personal choice,” he said, noting that no one is forced to attend events where smoking is permitted.
Chris Atkinson, director of the Hannibal Parks and Recreation Department, cited three issues in seeking the change: the health and safety of those who use the building; to protect parks department personnel who frequently are working during events where smoking occurs; and to protect the interior of the building. Atkinson added he felt that allowing smoking in the parks department-operated building sends mixed signals to the public, whose “health and well-being” is the department’s mission.
Atkinson acknowledged that the Hannibal Jaycees, which sponsors the Wing Ding and is heavily involved in the Chili Cookoff, would prefer the policy remain unchanged.
Louderman asked if the new policy would cost the parks department revenue? Atkinson said typically the parks department breaks even on events such as the Wing Ding and Chili Cookoff.
The smoking ban will not take effect until Thursday, July 1. Consequently smoking can still occur at events such as the Chili Cookoff, which is slated for Saturday, Feb. 20.
In the future, Atkinson believes contingencies can be made to still allow events such as the Wing Ding and Chili Cookoff to take place at the armory. He suggested that creating designated outdoor smoking areas could be a viable option.
Since only the policy at the armory was changed, rather than the city ordinance which allows smoking in city-owned buildings that are leased to private entities, smoking can still occur in the bar located in the old federal building.
The Admiral Coontz Recreation Center will become a smoke-free zone later this year.
Following a lengthy discussion of the proposal by members of the Hannibal City Council on Tuesday night at city hall, the council supported a recommendation of the Park Board and approved enacting a smoking ban in the facility for all public and private events. Under the current guidelines, smoking inside the building can occur during private events such as the Wing Ding, Chili Cookoff and wedding receptions.
When the smoke cleared the measure was approved by a 4-3 margin. Opposing the measure were Councilmen Kevin Knickerbocker, Jason Janes and Barry Louderman. In favor of the change were Councilmen Louis Barta and Jeff Lyng, Mayor Roy Hark and Mayor Pro Tem Jim Behymer.
With the vote tied at 3, Behymer, who earlier stated his willingness to “speak in behalf of those who do not want to be exposed to second-hand smoke,” voted in favor of the ban.
Speaking against the policy change was Knickerbocker, who is a non-smoker. His opposition was not based so much on eliminating smoking in the structure as it was limiting the personal freedom of smokers.
“I’m not in favor of the government regulating personal choice,” he said, noting that no one is forced to attend events where smoking is permitted.
Chris Atkinson, director of the Hannibal Parks and Recreation Department, cited three issues in seeking the change: the health and safety of those who use the building; to protect parks department personnel who frequently are working during events where smoking occurs; and to protect the interior of the building. Atkinson added he felt that allowing smoking in the parks department-operated building sends mixed signals to the public, whose “health and well-being” is the department’s mission.
Atkinson acknowledged that the Hannibal Jaycees, which sponsors the Wing Ding and is heavily involved in the Chili Cookoff, would prefer the policy remain unchanged.
Louderman asked if the new policy would cost the parks department revenue? Atkinson said typically the parks department breaks even on events such as the Wing Ding and Chili Cookoff.
The smoking ban will not take effect until Thursday, July 1. Consequently smoking can still occur at events such as the Chili Cookoff, which is slated for Saturday, Feb. 20.
In the future, Atkinson believes contingencies can be made to still allow events such as the Wing Ding and Chili Cookoff to take place at the armory. He suggested that creating designated outdoor smoking areas could be a viable option.
Since only the policy at the armory was changed, rather than the city ordinance which allows smoking in city-owned buildings that are leased to private entities, smoking can still occur in the bar located in the old federal building.
