City hears ban despite state plan

Thursday, April 12, 2007

Greencastle Mayor Nancy Michael says she plans to move forward with discussions on a citywide smoking ban despite a similar proposal that was approved by the Indiana House earlier this week.

"We will go ahead and have a conversation on April 26," Michael told the BannerGraphic Thursday.

On Tuesday, members of the City Council did not vote on the ban that would prohibit smoking in enclosed public places, possibly with the exception of private clubs, but planned a special meeting to discuss it, and possibly vote, later this month.

Council members would have to approve the citywide ban in April and then again in May in order for it to become final.

The special meeting to discuss the ban has been scheduled for 6:30 p.m., April 26 at city hall.

Meanwhile, Michael says she has been in contact with state representatives in the legislature and will continue to monitor the progress of the statewide ban that was approved by the House this week with a vote of 86-12. The bill faces additional votes in the legislature and approval by the governor before it would become final.

"We should know by May whether or not the state has adopted it," Michael said.

As the city council met on Tuesday, Rep. Eric Turner (R-Gas City) amended a bill providing health care coverage for low-income Hoosiers to include a prohibition of smoking in most enclosed public places, sports arenas and indoor places of employment.

Not included in the ban are retail tobacco stores, bars, public areas that are leased for private functions, businesses where the only employee is the owner, private residences and private clubs.

Cities would still have the option to pass a stricter ordinance, according to the plan.

In the Senate, President Pro Tem David Long (R-Fort Wayne) said Tuesday that he feels the smoking ban is an issue for local government to decide.

Other representatives said they favor the smoking ban, however, they worry about its impact on businesses where a large percentage of the patrons are smokers. They're calling for the issue to wait until next session to give officials more time to discuss it.

In other business, the city council:

  • Approved a resolution honoring the DePauw University Women's Basketball Team for its March 17 national championship win over Washington University of St. Louis.

  • Approved a waiver of the city's noise ordinance for DePauw University's East College lawn spring concert, scheduled for 6:30-11 p.m. April 21.

  • Approved a noise waiver Putnam County's annual Relay for Life event from noon April 28 to noon April 29 at DePauw's Blackstock Stadium.

  • Approved a noise waiver for Phi Gamma Delta fraternity to conduct its Island Cookout at 916 S. College, scheduled for 9 p.m. May 5 to 1:30 a.m. May 6.

  • Approved a street closure for the annual Veteran's Memorial Ceremony, scheduled for 9:30-11:30 a.m. May 5, to take place on Veteran's Memorial Highway between Cemetery Road on the east to the entrance to Hanson's on the west. The road will be closed to all traffic during that time.

  • Approved the following street closures for Main Street Greencastle:

    -- Fair on the Square, 5 p.m. May 17 through 6 p.m. May 20, for two blocks of Franklin Street from Jackson to Vine (north side of courthouse) and one block of Indiana between Washington and Franklin (east side of courthouse).

    -- Classic Car Show, 7 a.m.-6 p.m. June 16, one block north and south of Washington Street on Indiana (east side of courthouse) and one block east of Jackson on Franklin (north side of courthouse).

    -- Art/antiques show, Oct 5-6 (times not set), one block north and south of Washington on Indiana (east side of courthouse) and two blocks east of Jackson on Franklin (north side of courthouse).

    -- Farmers' Market, every Saturday from June through September, 7 a.m.-noon, for north and east sides of courthouse square.

  • Approved the use of the city's Indiana and Columbia street parking lots for Greencastle Custom Cycle's annual motorcycle benefit ride. The event is scheduled for 8 a.m.-11 p.m. June 9 and is conducted by Scott and Lisa Eaton. It will raise funds to purchase a trip to summer camp for a local special needs student.

  • Learned that DePauw University will conduct its annual sprint up and down Locust Street, from Gobin Church to Hanna Street. The road will not be officially closed but drivers are urged to avoid the area from 6-7:30 p.m. April 20.

  • Approved Ordinance 2007-2, amending of the city's zoning map for John Cunningham, owner of property located across from the Greencastle Kroger store on Indianapolis Road. Cunningham said he is working with a Family Video store to open on the property that has been rezoned from residential to business. This was the second and final reading of the rezone.

  • Approved Ordinance 2007-4, restricting heavy trucks on Avenue F, from Percy Julian Drive at the west and 590 feet to the east. According to the mayor, trucks are using a side street connecting Millpond Lane and Ave. F that was intended for light traffic and emergency vehicles only.

    The Greencastle City Council meets at 7 p.m. on the second Tuesday of each month at city hall. It is open to the public.

  • Respond to this story

    Posting a comment requires free registration: