Herald article on the smoking ban
What is more of a threat to your liberty and property...smoking in public parks or the Henry County Board of Commissioners? Well...the Henry BOC doesn't have a good track record on private property rights, given the abuse of eminent domain for Nash Farm, also let's not forget the resolution they passed on eminent domain, which the county is not legally bound to.
Let's face it...there will be no health effects from being exposed to the occasional smoker in a park. Citing second hand smoke as the reason for the ban is nonsensical.
Larry and I appear in an article that shows the opposition to the smoking ban in Henry County's parks:
County Commission Chairman Jason Harper said he equates smoking in public parks to consuming alcohol in public parks, which is also prohibited.Smoking has an adverse effect on people? I'd argue that an uppity bureaucrat, like Harper, has more of an adverse effect on the citizens of Henry County than any smoker or drinker.“Alcohol is a legal product and it’s long been banned because it’s not appropriate for family settings,” he said. “Secondhand smoke causes cancer. Just because smoking is legal has nothing to do with it. It’s a product that has an adverse effect on people, and as long as I’m chairman I have no intentions of repealing it.”
Comments
Righteous indignation is the only response from commissioners.
I can respect the personal objections to smoking expressed by Harper and Mathis. Stamey's position is one of following the herd. Holman (expressed at the original post) was also chewing the cud with his vote. None of the board members examined the facts or impact of this ban. They only saw a touchy-feely, "government will protect you" opportunity to assume a parental role. I agree with Jason Pye that this step was outside their rightful authority and proper role.
This is an official, government-imposed sanction that "protects" against a contrived threat, yet is steadfastly supported by the board.
No man lies so fervently as he who does so with indignation.
Posted by: Larry Stanley | December 22, 2006 06:50 AM
The Henry County BOC has had many opportunities to do what is best for the County. Instead they have focused on knee jerk issues that will lead to long term problems. Instead of spending millions on a park for the residents of Clayton County and the few flaggots remaining in the County, they could have focused on the future.
Pushing for a technology park instead of more warehouses.
Stop focusing on density when determining if a project is viable for the county and focus on the positive economic impact from high end development. It could be 1 unit per acre or 20, density is not the end all be all.
Stop talking and paying for design after design on land use and transportation plans...get it done.
Our county has the opportunity to do the right thing. But with no forward thinking we may end up just like Clayton County. A pimple on the ass of Atlanta.
I look forward to Bowman's and Basler's fresh outlook. Hopefully good things are on the horizon.
Posted by: Publius V. | December 22, 2006 09:57 AM
According to BJ, only two people complained, so only two people must think the ban is a bad idea!
Posted by: Joshua Patterson | December 22, 2006 01:09 PM
Regarding smoking in the parks, isn't there a middle ground. Someone wants to smoke while walking their dog through the park? More power to them. Someone wants to smoke on the sidelines of my kid's soccer practice? Not so cool...
There's a middle ground here that makes sense for everyone.
Posted by: Trackboy1 | December 26, 2006 02:46 PM