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HomeMy WebLinkAbout05-16-1996 Board of Health MinutesBOAR© OF HEALTH CALLED MEETING THURSDAY MAY 16, 1996 A special called meeting of the Board of Directors of Plainview -Hale County Health Department was called to order by Board Chairman Dr. Kit Linton at approximately 12:30 P.M., Thursday, May 16, 1996, at Plainview Country Club. The purpose of the meeting was to review/discuss proposed smoking ordinances for Hale County. Those attending were: Dr. Kit Linton, John Castro, Cezar Cervantez, R.N., John Peck, Earl Brown, Margaret Kay, Don Dickson, Donna Womble,R.N., Dr. Mike Hinze, Dr. Janet Cruz, Dr. Stephen Turner, Larry Mc Bee, Benny Cantwell, Nina Morris and Bobby Mc Gehee. Also present were: City Manager Frank Russell from Abernathy; Sheril Rigsby, representing Hale Center; Steve Barrett, Lubbock Avalanche Journal reporter; Kay Schubert, Plainview Daily Herald reporter, and the secretary, Billie Standefer. Chairman Linton explained the purpose of the meeting, and stated " as a springboard for further studies of a pro- posed smoking ordinance", all other municipalities in Hale County should be involved and encouraged to add their input. She introduced visitors from Hale Center and Abernathy, and also, a new City Councilman, Bobby Mc Gehee. She welcomed the news media as well. Dr. Linton stated the study of the smoking ordinance consideration was out of concern for the health of the citizens of Hale County, and opened the floor for ideas and discussion of the subject. Mr. Castro began the discussion with an explanation of his research on smoking ordinances. He mentioned a visit with Gregg Brandon of American Cancer Society, and said they had agreed that an extensive study and community input were the major necessities for establishing a work- able ordinance. He said the "bottom line" was the quest- ion,"Do the cities of Plainview, Hale Center, Abernathy, Petersburg and Edmonson need a smoking ordinance ?" Mr. Russell, from Abernathy, stated there was always two sides to this question. (1) The Businesses feel they should not be regulated, and (2) non-smokers do not want to be subjected to second-hand smoke. He suggested more input from the communities, perhaps a public hearing would be advisable. He was concerned about there being a time limit on the decision about the ordinance. Mr. Castro responded, saying there was not a "set time limit" on this proposal, and suggested appointing a comm- ittee to study all proposals. He said he agreed there should be public hearings to give every citizen an oppor- tunity to voice his/her opinion. Mr. Brown stated the employer's/employee's side should be considered. He said he did not believe in "mandating" to businesses. Dr. Turner explained it had definitely been proven second- hand smoke was a health hazard. He stated, sometime, for the good of the community, individuals have to step in and take a stand, even though it's an unpopular program. Mr. Mc Gehee commented this was a "very noble" cause. However, he felt the City Council would consider the cost to the businesses and the cost of enforcing the ordinance. He said the Council would be very reluctant to "burden the businesses with yet another expense." He felt, too, that people had their choice of not patronizing businesses that allowed smoking. Chairman Linton agreed the costs should be studied, and suggested looking closely at other cities examples would benefit in that respect. Mr. Dickson stated establishing the ordinance would be for the protection of the health of all citizens, and was strictly for health purposes. Mr. Russell reiterated the value of a public hearing, say- ing that most people appreciated being able to voice an opinion and having the opportunity to be heard. Mr. Peck agreed with Mr. Russell, adding each business could post a "Smoking" or "No Smoking" sign outside their business, giving citizens an opportunity to make a choice. He said most comments he had heard indicated people did not like having to be exposed to "second-hand" smoke. Mrs. Morris expressed she felt a county -wide effort would be more effective in promoting this program. Dr. Turner stated Plainview City Government had a well established precedent of backing public health efforts. He cited the inspections of restaurants and the requiring of health cards indication there was no Tuberculosis or Hepatitis carriers handling the food in places citizens eat as two examples of this. He said considering the cost of a smoking ordinance should be balanced with considering the cost to citizens who might have asthma or lung cancer irritated by smoking or second --hand smoke. He mentioned the smokers who complained because their "rights" were violated by a smoking ordinance, and said, "I'll guarantee you, their right to smoke is infringing on our rights to remain healthy !" A discussion followed, and it was decided a committee would be appointed to study the possibilities and coordi- nate a suitable proposal to present to the Health Board and the communities. Mr. Cervantez stated again the issue of a smoking ordin- ance was from a "Health" point of view with a consider- ation of others' rights. He said he was particularly concerned with minors being exposed to second-hand smoke. There was a motion by John Peck to select a committee to study/review ordinances and have them report to the Health Board before presenting the plan to the public; with a second to this motion by Mrs. Kay, to Board voted its approval. Those serving on the committee to study the ordinances are: Cinde Ebeling, Cezar Cervanatez, R.N., Dr. Janet Cruz, Don Dickson, Dr. Stephen Turner, Magaret Kay and Mayor Shane Cunningham of Abernathy. Chairman Linton said the committee would report their ideas and findings to the Board of Health, and offered an opportunity for other comments. There were no other comments or business, and the Chairman asked for a motion to adjourn. With a motion by Mr Womble and a second by Mr. Brown, the Chairman ed the m:-eting. Billie Standefer Secretary