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Smoking rules gain approval in Central Point By SARA MURPHY CENTRAL POINT -- Without much in the way of fanfare, the City Council approved a controversial anti-smoking ordinance Thursday evening. As expected, the council members voted 5-1 in favor of the ordinance that tightens restrictions on tobacco sales and bans smoking in most enclosed public spaces, including restaurants, taxis and meeting rooms. Private homes, bars, motel rooms and tobacco stores are exempt from the new law, which becomes effective in 30 days. "I regretfully say that as mayor, I cannot vote," Bill Walton said. "But if I did, it would have been an affirmative yes." Councilwoman Carol Fischer cast the only vote against the ordinance. She believes the issue should go to a public vote. About a half-dozen people opposing the ordinance were present, including Old Center Cafe owners Glenna and Larry Thornton. The couple, who booed as Walton announced adoption of the ordinance, is gathering signatures to recall Walton and two council members, Dave Gilmour and Donna Higginbotham. Prior to the vote, Walton denied Larry Thornton's request to speak on the issue. The council heard nearly two hours of public testimony at a hearing held two weeks ago at Crater High School. About 200 people, including dozens of Crater students, attended that first reading of the ordinance. Walton said standard procedure is to not hear public comment at the second reading of a proposed ordinance. At Thursday's meeting, Walton stressed the importance of setting an example for the city's youth. "We need to address the issue of drugs," the mayor said. "And the reason we don't is that it's too close to home. The gateway drugs are beer and tobacco." In other action, the council heard a proposal from School District 6 to allow the district to use Station 7:8, an old fire station downtown, as an alternative middle school. The station is owned by the city and leased to Hope Christian Church for use as a community center. The district hopes to use the building as a school for about 15 seventh- and eighth-grade students from Hanby and Scenic middle schools who are having problems with grades and attendance. Under the proposal, the building would continue to function as a meeting place. The city building department gave the OK for the station to be used as a school with the provision that the upper floor not be used for classrooms. However, that space may be used for a lunch room and recreation area. School officials hope open the alternative school next month. Also on the agenda, Jackson County Library officials seeking a site for a new branch location in Central Point asked the council to consider allowing the county to build the branch adjacent to City Hall. The lot, now a park area, is the planned location for a city annex. Plans to build the annex were postponed last fall when the Rogue Valley Council of Governments, which has leased office space in City Hall for 20 years, announced it will move to its own building this year. If the county were to build on the lot, library officials suggested, the building could be made to accommodate an upper floor for the city's annex. They say the lot is ideal for a library because it would help create a civic center. The council agreed to hold a work session on the library's proposal at 7 p.m. Feb. 15. Today's Edition : News | Sports | Business | Weather | Tempo | Classifieds Mail Tribune Copyright � The Mail Tribune 2000, Medford, Oregon USA