Council Says No To Smoking Ban At Liberty Park

Although signs are posted at Liberty Park,  an ordinance is not in place.
Although signs are posted at Liberty Park, an ordinance is not in place.

The proposed ordinance to ban smoking at Liberty Park was struck down by Batesville City Council Monday.

Before council weighed in on the issue, a revised draft excluding information on who would enforce the ordinance was introduced by City Attorney Lynn Fledderman.

Several council members indicated that while they themselves may not be smokers, enforcing the ordinance may not be a good use of police time nor government policy.

District 2 Council Member Kevin Chaffee said he routinely walks through the park and rarely sees anyone smoking.

Fellow council member Bob Narwold said, “I still think were going overboard, its open air, you don’t like someone smoking walk away from that person, I just think were getting carried away.”

After council voted against the ordinance, Mayor Rick Fledderman said he would like to meet with organizations that utilize the park to attempt to cut down on smoking and littering. The ordinance could be revisited this summer.