City mulls smoking ban

By FRANCISCO E. JIMENEZ
Staff Writer
reporter@sbnewspaper.com

Cigarette buttsCiting health concerns, city officials are considering an ordinance that would prohibit smoking in certain buildings and areas in San Benito.

An agenda item regarding the smoking ordinance was tabled at a regular San Benito City Commission meeting on Tuesday, March 19. According to Mayor Joe H. Hernandez, the item was tabled at the recommendation of the city attorney due to wording.

If approved, the item would prohibit smoking in city buildings, baseball parks and certain municipal properties, such as police vehicles. Smoking may also be prohibited at public places such as restaurants and bars.

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Permanent link to this article: https://www.sbnewspaper.com/2013/03/26/city-mulls-smoking-ban/

15 comments

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  1. @WeThePeople can you be more specific as to the intersection you are referring to.

    Most (99%) of the citizen complaints regarding illegal parking that I have received and referred to the city have been met with positive responses.

    • WeThePeople on March 30, 2013 at 11:10 am
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    On the smoking ban, I agree with JF Rodriquez; paper tiger. Do it right, or forget it. Why not include the gambling houses? I think I know why.

    On the parking, they need to enforce the rules they already have! There are still a half dozen big trucks that park overnight in San Benito where ever they feel like it. At least one parks right near an intersection while blocking the view of pedestrians and traffic. Residents have complained numerous times, yet nothing ever happened.

    On the garage sales… The City continues to pass ordinances yet every year it seems to get worse with the unlicensed curbside sales of animals, flowers, Easter baskets, food, you name it. These vendors do not have any business or tax licenses of any kind, yet they compete directly with legitimate businesses in town. Real good economic development there boys! Is it any wonder that the majority of businesses in town are the fast loan places, gambling houses, and auto parts stores?

    • Jose F. Rodriguez on March 29, 2013 at 11:45 pm
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    Proposed ORDINANCE NO. 2350-A prohibits smoking in specific recreational areas and buildings OWNED AND OCCUPIED BY THE CITY OF SAN BENITO.

    It does not prohibit smoking at public places such as restaurants and bars.

    Click HERE to read the ordinance being considered! It will inform you as to where you will not be allowed to light up.

    For those who like to park your vehicle on city property (i.e. sidewalks, alleys), this proposed ordinance is for you.

    For those who make a career of having garage sales every other weekend, this proposed ordinance is for you.

  2. One thing that holds true smoking is bad for your lungs…………….pick your lungs wait ! you only have one set and i’ve never heard of lung transplants. Go ahead and smoke it’s all the same to me or i’d be a lier

    • Reform San Benito on March 28, 2013 at 5:47 pm
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    And if you’re a non-smoker, stay out of establishments that allow smoking. Smokers don’t want to smell the nasty stench of the self-righteous either.

    • griff on March 28, 2013 at 9:14 am
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    Wow!! People writing in on how upsetting it is to ban smoking in public places. GHETTO you say? The City of Austin has been doing this for years, and I don’t consider our state capital “GHETTO”. It looks more like were trying to get the “GHETTO” out of San Benito. Small steps people…. its gonna be tuff to get it out when everyone is complaining about change for the betterment of our city. We have a new city food inspector that every restaurant owner hates because he’s doing his job and shutting down dirty restaurants. Quit complaining about this smoking ban; its good for our city. Lets get the “GHETTO” out of this town!! I don’t want to smell that nasty smoking any longer. If your a smoker, well smoke away it your choice, but I don’t want to smell it anymore.

    • WeThePeople on March 27, 2013 at 8:59 pm
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    Read the SB News Letter to the Editor in the Wednesday edition. The lady tells it like it is!

    • zemmy on March 27, 2013 at 7:21 pm
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    This is hilarious…who sits around thinking of this stuff. Citing health concerns? how about banning trash, weedy lots ,rat infested abandoned homes , dirt filled curbs, needle and condoms at our children’s parks . I could go on but my neck is acting up from the pot holed roads. We the people said it best GHETTO lol

    • GoSpursGo on March 27, 2013 at 6:33 pm
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    Hope this does not hinder future businesses from opening up shop in SB. What are they building in front of Lacks on 77? We the people, I wouldn’t be surprised if its another payday loan/ cash titles place. Pizza Patrón will be opening next to Wing Stop.

    • Futomaki on March 27, 2013 at 5:44 pm
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    Personally Im a smoker and don’t see way the city is even considering bars .
    Bar and grills where parents take children should ban smoking . First and foremost why the heck are parents
    Even taking there children to a bar and grill . So they can have a alcoholic beverage and drive home with there children in the vehicle. everyone is at fault . Pick Your battles everyone .

    • WeThePeople on March 27, 2013 at 3:29 pm
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    Why not get rid of the gambling parlors and pay loan places first? I hear we’re getting a new store in town!! Yippeeee! More Auto Parts!! G-H-E-T-T-O !

    • TwoCentsWorth on March 27, 2013 at 11:55 am
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    Mayor’s comment about folks smoking at baseball park–I have attended all my kids games the past three years and have never seen a single person smoking inside the park. And there’s hundreds of parents that will attest to that fact . . .

      • Futomaki on March 27, 2013 at 5:35 pm
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      My uncle smokes at his kids games whether anyone’s likes it or not . Its in the open so it should bother anyone . Unless its being blown in your face . Really pick your battles .

    • Chris on March 26, 2013 at 8:55 pm
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    Bunch of BS they can ban it in municipal buildings but why ban it in privately owned buildings. Once again the government taking away our personal freedoms. I do not smoke or even like being around it but we should have every aspect of our life taken away slowly. Next ting they will do is ban snow cone stands oh wait they already did that. Okay barbacoa is next because it gives you high cholesterol.

    • Loca-Greyhound on March 26, 2013 at 8:06 pm
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    San Benito…the last place on earth to make changes.

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