Commission Denies Smoking Ban Request
By CARRA HIGGINS, Staff WriterA few frustrated Randolph County residents voiced their opinions after the Randolph County Commission unanimously voted to deny the H.W. Daniels American Legion Post 29's request ask the Randolph County Board of Health to allow smoking in non-profit and fraternal clubs.
"That's horrible," one audience member said while the motion was on the floor.
Prior to public comments, Commissioner Mike Taylor read a letter addressed to the board of directors of the American Legion explaining their position regarding their request.
Taylor said he and commission President Julia Elbon and Commissioner Voras Haynes spoke with many members of the community and researched with diligence the effect the smoking ban has had on businesses.
Along with their research, the commissioners cited state codes and West Virginia Supreme Court rulings, which were used to base their decision, Taylor explained while reading the letter.
"While we are not insensitive to your stated downturn in business, we are also aware of the broad impact being felt across the country as a result of the current economic conditions," Taylor read. "... there is no reason to believe the American Legion is not suffering the downturn the same as every other business and organization in Randolph County.
"The members of the Randolph County Commission support the actions of the Randolph County Board of Health as they have followed state policy and state code in their planning of implementing the smoking ban in Randolph County," Taylor said. "For the County Commission to insist that the Board of Health rescind the smoking ban for certain organizations would be undermining the authority that was given to the Board of Health by West Virginia State Code."
Before the motion passed, Haynes commented that the smoking ban was not a decision made by commissioners.
Carman Metheny, who addressed the commission on June 26 on behalf of the American Legion board of directors, said he does not believe the economy has been the only factor in decreasing funds.
"We're not without sympathy," Elbon said.
However, Metheny is holding out hope for smoking to be allowed in the American Legion after the next legislative session. House Bill 4086, if passed, will amend state code to allow smoking in private clubs, Metheny said. Metheny said he plans to actively lobby for the passage of the bill.
"Let's hope this bill passes," Metheny said.
"It ought to be state policy," Haynes responded.
American Legion member Richard Pyles asked the commission who will sponsor the Post 29 baseball team and make food baskets for the community.
"Help us out so we can help you out," Pyles said.
In other business of the commission:
- Commissioners unanimously voted to offer county employees health insurance after their first day of work, which is retroactive to July 1. Prior to the decision, county employees were eligible for health insurance after six months of employment.
- Commissioners unanimously voted to authorize bid proposals for Courthouse Annex II.
- Commissioners unanimously voted to approve the appointment of Patricia Peters, Lucille Proudfoot and Frank Proudfoot to the Tygart Valley Library Board through 2013.
- Commissioners unanimously voted to advertise for oil and gas lease bids for 91 acres of county property, located near Camp Pioneer in Beverly.
- Commissioners unanimously voted to accept the county insurance policy for the 2008-2009 fiscal year. The policy, which includes terrorism protection, will cost approximately $124,000.
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GRizzly56
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07-25-08 5:04 PM
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commission not helping = commander get your people involved = all fellow veterans state wide to support HB4086;
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GRizzly56
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07-25-08 5:00 PM
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awe come on bull*****here terrorism protection = what the*****for residends in randolph couty wake up look at your taxes vote this commission out
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GRizzly56
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07-25-08 4:57 PM
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yes it goes to communisim when the commission allows the board of health to infringe on private property and my right to pursue my own happiness = if iam in my private motor vechile and smoking aciggarete you cannot stop me wether it be on davis memorial parking lot or what ever this ***** your local police stae police does not even enforce handi capped parking law ordinace??? nor does your county sheriff?? but yet smoking rules come get real here huh??
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generalsn
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07-25-08 12:33 PM
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It's a shame that after more than 50 years, veterans STILL have to fight for freedom. Young people must really be wondering "What are we fighting for"
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