Smoking at Thorsby ball parks hot issue
Published 6:11 pm Tuesday, April 5, 2011
By THEADORIS MORRIS / Staff Writer
Smoking is against the rules at Thorsby’s baseball field unless smokers light up 100 feet away from the bleachers, as decided by the Thorsby Town Council Monday night.
Pam Price, a concerned parent whose children play sports in Thorsby, brought to the attention of the council that it is against the rules to smoke in the bleachers at football and baseball games, and presented research on the health risks secondhand smoke can have on children.
“I’m asking that we make it a smoke free environment or for something to be done about it,” said Price. “If it is not going to be tobacco free, then can we at least have some rules or guidelines to keep smoke away from the children?”
Thorsby baseball coach Steve Patterson said he does not think it would be a good idea to make it a smoke-free facility, but to designate an area for people to smoke and make sure those rules are enforced.
Parks and Recreations director Crystal Smith was in attendance and said she will discuss and decide what the rules will be at the Parks and Recreation meeting next Tuesday at 6 p.m. at the park.
“The park is for kids, so I think we should look out for the best interest of the kids,” Councilman Marvin Crumpton said. “I believe if made aware and told respectfully, then it wouldn’t be a problem.”
Temporarily, the rules are no smoking within 100 feet of the home bleachers.
A designated place will be behind field three in the upper parking lot near the equipment shed.