Pubdate: Tue, 22 Nov 2005 Source: Packet & Times (CN ON) Copyright: 2005, Osprey Media Group Inc. Contact: http://www.orilliapacket.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2397 Author: Colin McKim NO-SMOKING ZONE SNUFFED Council Drops Proposed Ban Near Twin Lakes; Loiterers To Be Targeted Instead Council has dropped plans to create a no-smoking zone around Twin Lakes Secondary School. Instead, the city will attempt to discourage students from congregating near the school entrance by installing No Loitering, No Littering and No Stopping signs on three streets near the school. City staff had prepared a bylaw for Monday night's council committee meeting that would have made it illegal for anyone to smoke on Jamieson Street, Birch Street, Lexington Avenue and Cindy Lee Crescent, as well as parts of Barrie Road and Westmount Drive. The no-smoking zone was endorsed by Coun. Ralph Cipolla, who said homeowners closest to the school entrance were being subjected to foul language, loss of privacy and garbage. As well, large groups of students on the street were a customer base for drug dealers, Cipolla told council. "Cars drive in, stop, chat, sell drugs and leave," he said. But other councillors said the city was coming down too hard by imposing so many prohibitions on one school. "It bothers me when we single out one high school in the city," said Coun. Paul Spears. And the smoking prohibition would have affected everyone on the streets or sidewalks, not just students, Spears noted. Coun. Carl Garland agreed the city was taking a very restrictive approach, and questioned why a no-smoking zone would stretch as far as Westmount Drive. Coun. Tim Lauer said the Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit, whose responsibility it would have been to enforce the restriction, lacks the resources to be effective. "They'll show up the first week, then disappear." It makes more sense to install the No Loitering and No Stopping signs, which are enforced by police and bylaw officers, said Lauer: "With anti-loitering, people have to keep moving." Spears agreed with Lauer that the littering and loitering restrictions will solve the problem. The resolution passed by council calls for four No Loitering/No Littering signs on Jamieson, Birch and Lexington, as well as eight No Stopping (between 7 a.m. and 4 p.m.) signs on the three streets. The total cost of the initiative is pegged at $1,820. - --- MAP posted-by: Larry Seguin