Document text
0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » NEWS NOW Oregon's economy roaring at 'full throttle,' state economists say ... Jeld-Wen files to go public with stock offering ... Massive rehearsal planned for Northwest mega-quake, tsunami ... Oregon's economy roaring at 'full throttle,' state economists say ... Jeld-Wen files to go public with stock offering ... Massive rehearsal planned for Northwest mega-quake, tsunami ... DOWNTOWN Ashland cracks down on smoking, rude behavior Comment By Julie Akins for the Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Julie Akins for the Mail Tribune Posted Jun. 3, 2016 at 12:03 PM Updated Jun 3, 2016 at 5:05 PM By Julie Akins for the Mail Tribune Posted Jun. 3, 2016 at 12:03 PM Updated Jun 3, 2016 at 5:05 PM » Social News A new ordinance prohibiting smoking in most of downtown Ashland went into effect Friday. The smoking ban applies to downtown public sidewalks and within 10 feet of sidewalks, including private areas. Additionally, smoking will not be allowed within 10 feet of an outdoor cafe anywhere in town. It's the first such ban by an Oregon city, according to a release from the city of Ashland, which said it was enacted after community and business surveys found support for the measure. It incorporates the Oregon Indoor Clean Air Act into the city code. That prohibits smoking within 10 feet of entrances and exits and windows of places of employment and enclosed public spaces. The ban on smoking on sidewalks applies in the downtown area specified in the city's Enhanced Law Enforcement Area, a roughly two-by-six-block area bounded by Lithia Way on the northeast, Third and Hargadine streets on the southeast, Hargadine on the southwest and Winburn Way, Calle Guanajuato and Church Street on the northwest. The area includes the Oregon Shakespeare Festival campus, the Plaza, City Hall and most of the downtown core. Ashland has prohibited smoking in all city parks since 2008. "Second-hand smoke is a well-documented health hazard," city Councilor Stefani Seffinger said in the city's release. She proposed the ordinance last fall. "Residents and visitors should not have to walk through clouds of smoke when they're in downtown Ashland, which is this city's living room." Smoking is still permitted downtown in public alleyways and in most unenclosed private properties. Violation of the ordinance could lead to a fine of $138. Also going in effect since Friday is a ban on blocking sidewalks. A third ordinance prohibiting "intrusive solicitation," also known as aggressive panhandling, took effect May 17. “We believe the ordinances are positive for quality of life," said Ashland Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Sandra Slattery. She was primarily discussing the smoking ban, saying many residents and tourists expressed concern about secondhand smoke. The new sidewalk-blocking rule says no one can intentionally block a sidewalk. Obstruction is defined as leaving less than 6 feet of clear passage space on a sidewalk. Those warned of a violation by a police officer will have five minutes to move. An existing ordinance already bans blocking walkways with dogs or objects. The aggressive panhandling ordinance prohibits panhandling within 20 feet of an ATM; an entry to a financial institution; and from people seated indoors or outdoors at a restaurant. The panhandling and sidewalk ordinances came out of complaints about obnoxious and aggressive behavior by apparently homeless people. The situation worsened in recent years with a growing number of "travelers," homeless people who move from city to city and often solicit passersby for money. Slattery said the ban on blocking sidewalks is a matter of fairness to people on foot. “We’ve got thousands who access our downtown sidewalks," she said. "It’s important for everyone to be able to walk down the sidewalk and have access.” There is no current plan to increase patrols in the areas affected by the new ordinances, according to Deputy Police Chief Warren Hensman, who says it’s doubtful there will be any need. “Our first priority will be educating people about the new laws but no, I don’t expect there to be greater presence or enforcement,” he said. Police Chief Tighe O’Meara, who is on vacation this week, has said in the past that rather than ticketing anyone initially, police will focus on making contact and explaining the rules. Despite the council’s decision to lease jail beds at the county jail for $73,000 annually, the chief also has said no one will be arrested for violating these ordinances. It would have to take some other, more serious action for jail time to come into play. Slattery said she doesn't expect to see a greater police presence downtown either, but should it occur it wouldn't be a problem. “A lot of people would be happy to see a bigger police presence,” she said. A downtown business owner agreed. He asked not to be named for fear of retribution, saying his windows have been broken and he’s had feces wiped on his building for speaking out or confronting people who trespass or relieve themselves on or near his property. “The behavior is so far out of hand it wouldn’t be acceptable anywhere,” he said. “It’s all about behavior and playing nicely in the sand box," Slattery said. "It’s not too much to ask.” Email Ashland freelance writer Julie Akins at [email protected] and follow her on Twitter at twitter.com/ @julieakins. Ashland Downtown Smoking Ban Map by Mail Tribune By Julie Akins for the Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Julie Akins for the Mail Tribune Posted Jun. 3, 2016 at 12:03 PM Updated Jun 3, 2016 at 5:05 PM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... Business Name address Location, ST | website.com Find Southern Oregon Attractions Bars Restaurants Beauty Salons Entertainment Doctors Medical Specialists Contractors Education Lawn Services Lawyers Shopping Travel Tanning Used Cars Wedding Services ▼ Add your business here + Events Calendar Connect with MailTribune.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services Home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Announcements Obituaries Story ideas Since you asked Alerts Email Alerts RSS Feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Propel Marketing Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Mobile Site Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Your privacy is important, read our privacy policy. © Copyright 2016 Local Media Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | Local Media Group Publications Original content available for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons license, except where noted. MailTribune.com | P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501