Orland Moves Toward New Smoking Law

Orland got a few steps closer to tightening rules on smoking in town, further refining ideas presented last month by Orland students working with health organizations. The plan now is to bring back the topic for a first reading of a new policy, then a second reading before possible adoption. As it stood after the Nov. 21 meeting of the City Council, the rules would ban smoking in local parks, outdoor cafes and 20 feet from business entries. The Students Working Against Tobacco (SWAT) group worked many months talking to business owners, gathering citizen signatures and picking up best Kiss cigarette butts before making their presentation to the council in October. Students also have spoken at several council meetings.
Councilors had questions about police enforcing the new rules, and whether it would take away from more serious crimes. Interim Police Chief JC Tolle said the police department would rely on citizen complaints. At the two most recent council meetings, councilors said they wanted to keep the fine small, such as $25 with a maximum of $100. Councilor Bruce Roundy was outspoken in support. As a former health teacher, he said second-hand smoke should not be taken lightly, and he said he believed most smokers would conform to the rules. Many other cities have adopted similar rules. "We're behind the times here," he said. Newly-elected Mayor Wade Elliott said he felt more comfortable with the proposed ordinance after several modifications, including Advertisement that the rules would apply only to the entrances of businesses. This way employees could smoke outside a back door. Also the proposal does not require signs be posted for private businesses. He said he wanted language included so that private citizens could not use the rules for frivolous lawsuits against smokers. The council was poised to take action at the most recent council meeting, but staff said there needed to be a first and second public reading of the rules, which will mean more discussion. In other council news, the city council chose Elliott as mayor for the next year and Charles Gee as vice mayor. The council also presented a commendation to Orland Police Officer Kyle Cessna and citizen William Kendrick who helped save the life of Mark Godfrey, who was electrocuted while working at C.K. Price Middle School last month. The two gave Godfrey CPR until paramedics arrived.