By The New Pelican Newspaper | on August 06, 2022

By Judy Wilson | Associate Editor

Deerfield Beach – Saying the issue is an “extremely difficult” one, commissioners decided last week to move forward with an ordinance that would ban smoking on public beaches and in parks. But the regulations may yet be tweaked.

Citing what he called might be “a backlash from smokers,” Mayor Bill Ganz said he preferred to designate a section of the beach for smokers, but added he has yet to determine where that would be. Enforcing any regulation will be difficult, he said.

Commissioner Todd Drosky, supporter of the ordinance said, “I propose an outright ban . . . it’s the best of the worst options. Taking no action would be a mistake. We have to get in front of this.”

Vice Mayor Ben Preston said, “designated areas will fail.” Wind shifts would send smoke to non- smoking beachgoers, he said. “[The proposed ordinance] Will be difficult, but it is the best thing for the people.”

The move to regulate smoking will likely be taken up by all of Broward’s beach cities due to the state legislature’s approval of a bill allowing local controls.

City Manager Dave Santucci SAID, “I can’t emphasize this enough. It will be a domino effect. If you don’t do anything, you will [be known as] the ‘smoking beach.’”

The ordinance passed on first reading 5-0. A second reading is required before the regulations become law. The state statute, which cities must follow, does allow smoking of unfiltered cigarettes and cigars, something the commission also questioned. Filtered cigarette butts are often the most numerous single item collected in beach cleanups.

Oveta McKeithen Recreational Complex could be the recipient of a $75,000 grant from the National Recreation and Parks Association. What’s required is a winning number of votes which can be cast online until Sept. 12.

The local park is among 10 finalists up for Perk Your Park funding. Three awards will be made and each voter can cast one ballot each day.

If this city should be a winner, plans are to build a corporate size pavilion in Oveta McKeithen for events and private gatherings. Visit the city’s website to vote.

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