HARTSVILLE, SC (WMBF) - Hartsville City Council members passed a smoking ban last month, but are now considering an amendment that would affect sidewalks near bars.
Mayor Mel Pennington says he'd like to see an exception made for bars so they can keep drinking and smoking off the sidewalks. This amendment would only apply to outdoor deck areas.
This possible change is being discussed less than a month after city leaders enacted the ordinance in public places.
Hartsville City Council members passed a smoking ban July 10 with amendments by a 7-0 vote. Amended to exclude exemptions and level the field.
The smoking ban is less about your health, and more about your rights, according to the city's mayor.
"Where does the city stand in to say where does someone's right to do something affect someone's right to not do something?" That's the question Hartsville Mayor Mel Pennington asked people who live in the city. The ban would make smokers head outside the building if they have the urge to smoke.
"We've got a lot of regulars because there aren't many smoking restaurants around anymore," said Porter Riley, a waiter at Bizzell's in downtown Hartsville. "But it also turns away some customers. It's a tit for tat kind of thing."
While some people are holding out on the ban, Mayor Pennington says about three quarters of the city is behind it. Those numbers come from a web poll on his website, www.melpennington.com.
"This has been a perfect initiative to reach out to the people and say ‘If we're not going to have a referendum, please let me know you're feelings and thoughts,'" said Mayor Pennington.
Mayor Pennington says the interactive approach of the website allows city government to ride the coattails of public opinion.
"Tell me where you think we're overstepping our bounds," he said. "Because that's not what the role of government is."
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