Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Council Nixes Smoking

Smoking in any building owned or leased by the City of Gurdon can net the smokers a $50 fine.

The Gurdon City Council, in its regular monthly meeting Monday night, approved the third and final reading of a no smoking ordinance for public buildings.

Under the terms of the ordinance, smoking in buildings either owned or leased by the city is not allowed, and a fine not to exceed $50 can be assessed to those violating the new law.

The term "smoking", for purposes of the ordinance, is defined as any lighted cigar, cigarette, pipe or other lit tobacco product.

There will be, however, certain areas designated by Gurdon Mayor Rick Smith and department heads for smokers.

The ordinance passed with a 4-1 vote, the lone nay vote being cast by the newest member of the council, Johnny McGuirt, co-owner of Ann's Smoke Shop.

McGuirt said at one time tobacco and spices were major contributors to the building of the United States as a nation.

But, he continued, with this ordinance those who choose to smoke are being condemned by being fined.

Smokers, he added, pay more taxes than non-smokers because tobacco products are one of the highest taxed products in the nation.

He called the ordinance discrimination against smokers.

Smith said the purpose of the ordinance is not to condemn or discriminate against anyone, but is to protect city property and those who choose not to smoke. Smith pointed out the new floor in the vestibule at city hall already has stains from nicotine running down the inside of the ashtrays.

The renovations to City Hall, he pointed out, cost $250,000, which was paid through a grant from the Cabe Foundation. The building, though, he continued, belongs to everyone in Gurdon.

Mickey Jones, a member of the council, said without the fine the ordinance would be ignored.

The council, with the exception of McGuirt, passed the ordinance. It won't go into effect, however, until 30 days after the ordinance has been published.

In other business, the council reappointed Danny Paull to the Gurdon Water and Sewer Commission.

Jones asked if the council could be notified of upcoming vacancies earlier in the future as other people may be interested in being on the commission.

Smith said there is currently a vacancy on the commission as the former commissioner moved outside the city limits.

Animal control and solid waste were also hot topics for the council.

Under the topic of solid waste, Smith said letters will be sent to those people who have erected unsightly trash bins on their property.

This was done in the past, with most people complying and removing the bins.

With animal control, he said, people are encouraged to adopt the dogs being picked up. To further encourage the adoption of these animals, photos of them will be placed in the Gurdon Times on a regular basis.

Since the city instituted its animal control program, about 140 animals have been picked up. However, Smith said, most have been put to sleep as they weren't adopted.

He combined the topics of animal control and solid waste by saying with the animal control program in place, he is considering a proposal to ban all trash bins within the city limits.

His plan is to have all household garbage placed at curbside in bags. This will be easier on those who collect the trash, while eliminating the need for bins.

With more and more stray dogs being removed from the streets, there is little danger of the trash bags being ripped open and the garbage scattered.

But, he pointed out, this is an issue to be addressed at a later date and not at this time.

Smith lauded the Entergy Corporation for razing two ramshackle houses between the Entergy transformers and Rose Hedge Cemetery recently.

The utility company owns the property the houses were on, and after company officials were contacted about the structures, they acted promptly and efficiently.

With the warmer weather people have been heading to the city park en masse. The Gurdon High School tennis team has been working out on the courts, while others have been making use of the Gurdon Lake for fishing, as well as playing volleyball on the sand court.

Because of this, the city will reopen the restrooms for public use as there should be relatively little danger of severe freezing weather from now until spring, according to Smith.

The mayor announced the confirmation of a $2,100 grant for the city. This money, from the C. Lewis Cabe Foundation, will be used to purchase new furniture for the vestibule at City Hall. The furniture, Smith said, has been ordered.

Another order already placed is for a new car for the Gurdon Police Department. The council approved the purchase at a special meeting Jan. 25, with the order being placed on Jan. 26. The decals for the vehicle have already arrived.

Jones provided a cost estimate for tables and chairs for the city. She said a representative from Virco could come and talk to the council later on.

This was done as the city is working to replace the existing furniture used for council meetings. This would amount to about 100 chairs and 25 new tables.

The furniture would not only be used during council meetings, but would be used by other groups having functions at City Hall.

Changing the topic back to solid waste, Smith said the Southwest Central Regional Solid Waste Department is trying to get a statute amended.

This statute prohibits one solid waste district from transporting its garbage across the boundaries of another en route to a third.

The protest was levied by the Saline County Landfill after its contract with the Southwest District ran out. The Southwest District entered into a contract with BFI of Little Rock, and has been taking its garbage through Saline County.

Smith said if Saline County is successful in its suit to prohibit the crossing of boundaries and forces the Southwest District, of which Clark County is a member, to deal with it, it will cost residents in the three county region $3.2 million more in solid waste fees over the next four-and-a- half years.

Should the district go to the Yell County landfill, it will cost an additional $3.9 million for the same time period.

Smith said this will translate into higher fees on the garbage bills, and urges everyone to contact their state senators to vote for the amendment.

There was also some bad news from the mayor. He said the emergency warning sirens have been ordered, but it will be about eight weeks before they arrive.

This, he said, is because the manufacture has sold out of this particular model.

"I had hoped they would be installed this month," Smith told the council.

Once the sirens arrive and are installed, he said, the pu