The City Commission refused to bend an antismoking ordinance for American Legion Post 86 at a Monday night meeting that also saw the commissioners vacate a block of Iuka Street to make way for a new fitness facility.
The Legion’s Rick Wittig, who does not smoke, told the Commission the city’s ban could spell the end for the organization even though a more relaxed state ordinance is set to take effect July 1.
“We’re hurtin’,” said Wittig. “July may be the end of it.”
The new state ordinance grants an exception to private clubs, such as the Legion. The city ordinance applies equally to all businesses, although it allows smoking to begin after 10:30 p.m.
“We can’t single one group out over the rest,” Commissioner Jeff Taylor said.
The Commission did agree to mow the Legion Post’s front lawn since it already mows the park area surrounding the Post.
In other business, the Commission:
uVacated Iuka Street between Fifth and Sixth to provide room for the Blythe Foundation to build a community fitness facility. Blythe spokesman Zach Deeds noted the foundation has purchased all of the homes in the construction area, removing the need for the street and the utilities to those homes.
uPromised Karen Detwiler that police would enforce ordinances against truck traffic on Sixth Street. Detwiler had complained of concrete trucks traveling the street instead of designated truck routes.
uApproved the design of a plat for the Sandy Creek Addition, thereby allowing a plot of land to be sold to the First Southern Baptist Church.
