New regulations to discourage smoking in Cortez’s city parks aren’t necessary.
That’s the sentiment of the City Council, which decided at Tuesday’s workshop not to pursue the idea of regulating the practice. The Parks and Recreation Department had conducted a nonscientific survey that drew more than 900 responses. Over 70 percent favored a 50-foot smoke-free perimeter around special events. But the council said such a rule would be difficult to explain and enforce. They likewise said other options such as designated smoking zones would cause problems and resentment. Mayor Karen Sheek asked, “Are we making something an issue that is not an issue?” The council agreed to drop the idea.
