A split Gilbert Town Council Tuesday decided against restricting smoking in public parks.
Instead, the council voted 4-3 to ask its Parks and Recreation Advisory Board to come up with recommendations for a voluntary program that, if necessary, would include signs and educational programs to encourage smokers to be courteous of non-smokers.
At least three council members said they did not believe Gilbert needs any type of smoking ordinance for its parks.
”I think this might be a solution looking for a problem,” Councilman Dave Crozier said of a proposed ordinance that would have limited smoking to designated areas located 50-100 feet from areas where people congregate at the parks.
Councilwoman Joan Krueger questioned whether a new law is needed or if simply asking smokers to voluntarily move away from non-smokers would be enough.
Along with Crozier and Krueger, councilmen Les Presmyk and Don Skousen said they opposed the recommended ordinance. Mayor Steve Berman, Councilwoman Linda Abbott and Vice Mayor Steve Urie supported the proposed ordinance.
