Few register to speak at smoking bylaw meeting

April 1 is the deadline for people to register to have their say on the smoking bylaw issue during a public meeting slated next Tuesday (April 2) at 7 p.m. at the Civic Centre.
And this meeting may be your only chance to do so if public interest doesn’t pick up, town clerk Glen Treftlin warned at Monday night’s regular council meeting.
“So far, I’ve received two requests to speak,” he told council.
“Are you saying if we don’t get enough, then that’s it?” inquired Coun. Struchan Gilson, to which Treftlin responded, “Yes.”
Those wishing to voice their opinion are asked to register by 4:30 p.m. on Monday by dropping by the Civic Centre or calling Treftlin at 274-5323, ext. 236.
A reminder the Civic Centre will be closed Good Friday.
About 10 minutes will be allotted for each presentation. Any documents and handouts related to presentations also are to be filed in advance.
CAO Bill Naturkach had said previously the town is interested in what people have to say about what has become such a hot topic.
“At the last couple of council meetings, the issue of has come up. The town’s approach to this is to have citizen input,” he remarked.
“If we’re going to have local bylaws, we need to hear what the people have to say. We’re bound to hear opinions from both sides of the issue,” noted Naturkach.
“But we have to follow the normal process of local representation.”
Despite the low number so far, council agreed last night to set two more dates for public meetings if more interest is shown. These would take place April 16 and 30 at the Civic Centre.
The idea to hold public meetings on the smoking bylaw issue first was brought up in January after the health unit launched a postcard campaign to gauge public support for a ban on smoking in all enclosed public places.
Last month, Dr. Sarsfield officially declared second-hand smoke a “health hazard,” and has since said he’s prepared to take legal action against district municipalities that don’t establish the bylaw.
In related news, council on Monday night received notice from the town’s Joint Health and Safety Committee, which reports it supports the health unit’s recommendation the town pass a bylaw banning smoking in all workplaces.