Continuing their mission to keep public places smoke-free, SWAT teens have now made a familiar request from the city of Lawtey.
Students Working Against Tobacco from Bradford High School presented the city council with their arguments against smoking and vaping in Lawtey parks. The students laid out their case by addressing issues such as air quality, dangerous cigarette butts left in children’s play areas and the higher rates of smoking and vaping among Bradford students.
“Tobacco free parks aren’t about punishment, but protection,” they said.
Council members moved forward with first reading of an ordinance banning smoking and vaping in city parks. When finalized, the ordinance will not incite fines, but those violating will be asked to discontinue their smoking or leave the premises. If they refuse or return and continue to smoke, it was suggested by the city’s attorney they can be issued a trespassing notice.
Old business
The second matter addressed was “old business.” This topic has been repeatedly brought before council for over two years by constituents and former council members. Councilwoman Debra Norman made a motion that old business be added to all future agendas. “We need to listen to our citizens,” she said and suggested much of what is discussed is never revisited. Norman said other small cities have old business on their agenda so Lawtey should be able to do the same.
Councilman Joshua Bell seconded the motion, but Councilwoman Virginia Warner pushed back due to Norman failing to add this motion to the April agenda. She said motions are to be added prior to the meeting and if a council person wants to add something last minute, they should have stated they wanted to amend the agenda as printed at the beginning of the meeting.
Attorney Dan Sikes said that procedurally that’s correct, but council can waive the rule and move forward because it didn’t involve a financial commitment. After discussion, all council members, except Warner, voted to add old business to future meetings. Constituents should reach out to their council members to ask about specific old business they’d like addressed at future meetings.
Civil manners matter
Regarding constituents and meetings, Sikes made a statement during his time about the lack of decorum from the public during Lawtey’s council meetings. Sikes said he’s been an attorney for the city of Starke and other counties and has never seen another body allow citizens to make comments during meetings when it’s not time for public comments. The interruptions and comments are usually met with a request for the constituent to leave.
He recommended gaveling down those who make comments or shout during regular sessions to be removed by the police chief or a designated deputy.
“It’s not an issue of not listening to the public, we need to listen to the public,” Sike said, adding there are procedures for adding your concerns to the agenda, like contacting your council member to address the issue. He said he’s never seen any other meeting where disruptive commentary comes from the floor. Citizens are allowed to comment for up to five minutes during public comments, which is at the beginning of each meeting.
In other business:
—city charter revision committee applications are available at city hall. Anyone interested, stop by and apply.
—council approved hiring Powell & Jones for the city’s audit.
—the recreation board will host another bingo night/spring fling on April 16 from 7-8:30 p.m. at the recreation building in Tatum Brothers Park.
—the next council meeting is Monday, May 4, at 7 p.m.
BY MELISSA PYLE
Special to the Telegraph
