Thursday, February 7th, 2008

Smoking ban law causes more confusion in county

By Shelley Grieshop
A local night club's recent appeal of an alleged smoking ban violation has opened up a can of worms for health officials who are struggling to follow the vague wording of the new law.
The question of where ashtrays can be placed inside bars and clubs became the topic of discussion Wednesday afternoon at the monthly meeting of the Mercer County-Celina City Health Board. Michelle Kimmel, the county's environmental director, interpreted the state's smoking ban law to mean ashtrays are not allowed inside any public building - stored or in public view - or a violation is to be issued. She has been issuing citations to bar and tavern owners who store the trays behind the bar, she told board members.
However, following the meeting The Daily Standard contacted Ohio Department of Health spokesman Kristopher Weiss, who said storing ashtrays behind a bar is "OK." He said empty ashtrays can be stored inside because they are allowed in outdoor patios.
Illusions Nite Club in Celina was issued a warning in December - its first ever smoking violation - following a visit by Kimmel, prompted by a complaint lodged against the club in November. She told board members she found empty ashtrays stored on the back side of the bar.
Owners David and Georgia Woodward are challenging the warning and seeking a formal review of the matter. In their protest letter they said the ashtrays Kimmel found were clean and made available by them only when their customers enter the business with lit cigarettes.
"An ashtray is the proper and safe way to dispose of lighted smoking material, and in our case, must be readily available for these people to extinguish their smoking material when they are asked to," the Woodwards wrote in their letter to the health department.
Kimmel told The Daily Standard this morning she, too, spoke with a state health department official after Wednesday's meeting and received the same information - ashtrays are allowed to be stored behind a bar.
Kimmel said she is frustrated with the vague wording of the law, which says ashtrays can be stored in a public building if that area has "no public access." The gray area is what is considered having "public access."
She told her contact at the state she wants a more detailed explanation of ashtray placement "in writing" and is awaiting that information before proceeding or dismissing the case against Illusions.
"This is so frustrating," she said. "I feel like they keep changing the rules as we go."
Weiss said he's not sure how the local department should proceed with businesses that were previously cited for similar ashtray violations. He suggested Kimmel either seek guidance from the local prosecutor's office or tap state officials for help.
Additional online stories on this date
Grand Lake nearly two feet above normal level
A state of emergency has been declared for Mercer and Auglaize counties following heavy rains this week that caused extensive flooding.
Officials i [More]
An explosion Wednesday afternoon outside the former Mersman Furniture factory in Celina rattled windows in nearby homes and the nerves of residents in the neighborhood. [More]
Subscriber and paid stories on this date
Community Medical Center, along U.S. 127, Celina, currently is closed due to water surrounding the facility.
Doctors' Urgent Care has moved to Merc
ROCKFORD - The Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) will pay for the complete resurfacing of Main Street, Village Administrator Jeff Long announced.
MINSTER - Village councilors learned Tuesday night that Nativity scene figures damaged by vandals during the holiday season can be repaired.
Villa
Auglaize County Commissioner Doug Spencer recounted highpoints of his trip to Japan at the St. Marys Rotary meeting Wednesday. What struck him most was the graciousness of strangers, particularly an incident on the country's famous Bullet Train.
Dayton Power & Light Company (DP&L) will install an electric line extension on state Route 29 west of Celina to power a future sewer pump station required for the expansion of the county's wastewater treatment facility.
The condition of Denny Howell, a former Celina resident and former superintendent in the Crestview Local School District, has been upgraded to serious at Miami Valley Hospital in Dayton.
ROCKFORD - It was a tough decision for Jordan Thompson in deciding where to continue his education and football career.
The Parkway senior had plenty of suitors wishing for his services, schools like Miami, Ohio University and The United States Air Force Academy were among his official visits.
ST. MARYS - A trio of St. Marys Roughrider football players announced their college intentions at the high school library on Wednesday afternoon.
K
Compiled by Gary R. Rasberry
While a number of people will be listening to what happens in New Knoxville on Friday in the Marion Local-New Knoxville game, two of the hottest teams in the Midwest Athletic Conference will square off at Fort Site Fieldhouse.
Friday, 6:30 p.m. Ranger Gymnasium
Last Game: Marion Local rebounded from suffering its first MAC loss of the season with a 63-45 win at Wapakoneta. ... New Knoxville was business as usual, going to 18-0 with a 51-38 win over Temple Christian.
Friday, 6:30 p.m. McBroom Gymnasium
Last Game: Kenton picked up its 14th win of the season in beating Urbana 63-33 on Tuesday night. The Roughriders lost their ninth straight game, falling to Minster 44-36 on Saturday.
Friday, 6:30 p.m. Tiger Gymnasium
Last Game: The Redskins suffered a double-loss weekend, falling first to top-ranked New Knoxville on Friday, then giving up 31 points to Chris Morrow as Van Wert won 49-41. ... Versailles won its annual rivalry game with Ansonia 58-56 in overtime.
Friday, 6:30 p.m. Hermiller Gymnasium
Last Game: Celina picked up its third straight win with a 63-52 win over Bath at the Fieldhouse last Friday. ... The Titans extended their winning streak to six games, beating Van Wert 53-43 last Friday in WBL play.
Friday, 6:30 p.m. The Palace
Last Game: The Cardinals downed Jackson Center 55-44 on Saturday night. ... Coldwater lost a nailbiter to Fort Recovery 49-48 on Monday night.
Who
Friday, 6:30 p.m. Wildcat Gymnasium
Last Game: St. John's downed Covington 61-38 on Saturday night. ... Minster picked up three straight wins over four days, knocking off Marion Local on Friday, then beating Auglaize County rival St. Marys 44-36 on Saturday before downing Jackson Center 66-43 on Tuesday night.