October 25, 2007

StreetTalk

by Carol Rosen

Council members at this week’s City Council meeting will vote whether or not to ban cigarette smoking in city parks. How do you feel about this action?
(Asked at the PW at Via Valiente Plaza)

“I can go either way. If the smokes are responsible they should be allowed to smoke in designated areas.”

Keith Rockwell, 50
Almaden
Emergency department technician


“I’m not a smoker, but my husband is and I say no smoking anyway. I hate it!”

Shirley Buonocore, 71
Almaden
Homemaker


“That’s a tough question. I’m a social smoker. Around the playground, definitely not, but other places where adults hang out are OK.”

Mandana Madani, 44
Almaden
Owner, Acme Consulting


“I have mixed emotions about it. I don’t think they should, but people need the choice to smoke if they want to, but they should pick up after themselves to keep the area clean."

Jeannie Browne, 59
Almaden
Interior designer


“It’s a great idea, but kind of a silly idea because there aren’t enough people to enforce it. There aren’t enough rangers or police officers. It’s not a practical thing to do.”

Lani McCall
Almaden
Retired


“I would be in favor of it because it’s very unpleasant to be around smoke. Tobacco carries tobacco mosaic virus ad is harmful to plants. Dropping a lit cigarette could cause a fire.”

Sue Van Stee
Almaden
Retired


"I think it’s a good idea; city parks don’t have the right receptacles [for cigarette butts]. Smokers dirty up the city parks [with dropped cigarette butts and smokers might attract loiterers and others. People come to parks to be in the fresh air and to exercise, but there won’t be fresh air if there’s lots of smoke."

Lauri Chicoine, 44
Almaden
Nirvana hair and make-up artist


“I don’t think it’s right, it’s open air. Parks are public places. But they should watch out and not litter.”

Rita Doran, 52
Almaden
Homemaker