Jump to full article: Long Beach (CA) Press-Telegram, 2009-06-08
Author: Sean Belk Staff Writer
Intro: Newly elected 1st District Councilman Robert Garcia says he is sticking to his campaign promise to protect the environment.
After taking office in May, his first two items on the agenda for Tuesday's City Council meeting, starting at 6 p.m., deal with environmentally friendly issues.
A new ordinance proposed by Garcia and supported by 2nd District Councilwoman Suja Lowenthal proposes to amend the city's municipal code to prohibit smoking at farmers markets and bus stops, or at least 20feet away from them.
"We need to be responsible when it comes to public health," Garcia said. "It's the right thing to do." . . .
If the law passes, Garcia said enforcement would have to be an "educational process," such as working with the Long Beach Transit to make passengers more aware.
"As more time goes on, more people will be aware of it," he said. "It's not going to stop everyone from breaking the law, but it certainly will help."
Peter Diaz, a Long Beach transit bus driver for 10 months, agrees with the idea.
Jump to full article » |