Manitouwadge Regular Council June 22nd VIDEO Recorded Live!

Manitouwadge Town Council 2010-14. Photo OntarioNewsNorth.com 2010

 MANITOUWADGE, ON – Wednesday, June 22nd, 2011 Manitouwadge Mayor and Council were all in attendance for their regular council meeting.  Among those things discussed/voted/addressed at the meeting were Community Services Manager Dave Raymond (EDO), having imposed a smoking ban at the Community Clubhouse Restaurant (The Loft Bar & Grill) contrary to the by-law which governs this, without it being presented to council, this was officially voted on and a decision was made to continue allowing smoking on right hand side (when standing inside facing the course) of the balcony which faces the course. 

The recorded vote results:

• Councillor Natalie Labbee: Against 
• Councillor Donna Jaunzarins: For
• Councillor Sheldon Plumer: For
• Councillor Connie Hunter: Against
• Mayor John MacEachern For

This made the vote 3 to 2 repealing the by-law though in effect it returns all to the status quo as the smoking permissions had been prior with smoking on the right-side balcony overlooking the course allowed according to provincial legsitlation which superceedes any/all municipal by-laws.  (Editor: I feel we can only hope the provincial guidenlines will soon be ammended to better protect those not wanting 2nd hand smoke to be part of their family or childrens sports day or that the municipality may choose to impose stricter guidelines to do the same as is within their abilities).

Those councillors voting against the by-law which permits smoking on what I am referring to as the ‘front right-side balcony’ (the one built to allow those viewing to see 4 holes from a bird’s eye vantage point), spoke of many concerns/issues including complaints and personal experiences eating with their family in the restaurant while smoke backdrafted into the dining area (obviously unappealing for the vast majority while eating), concerns about the health and welfare of families, more specifically children who may want to watch from that same balcony or enjoy the clubhouse balcony for any reason as people are served beverages and foods on the balcony, Councillor Labbee voiced feelinngs that perhaps, like other Northwestern Ontario cities/municipalities, Manitouwadge was presented with an opportunity to show forward thinking, health promotion and pro-active action by making the balcony non-smoking non of these concerns or suggestions managed to sway the vote. Councillor Jaunzarins expressed difficulty with the fact that her research/questioning into the subject resulted in no evidence of any written complaints ever being filed and a lack of any complaints brought forward/voiced to any staff/management ever being recorded, without any such materials to quantify complaints it seemed reasonable to question the level of disturbance this smoking/smoke may have caused/is causing, the number of people (whether a majority or minority of those dining at The Loft, using the Clubhouse as golf viewers/golfers, ect) to have issue with smoking as it has been permitted in recent years. Mayor MacEachern and Councillor Sheldon Plummer seemed in agreement with these concerns in regards to changing what they seem to feel has been a functional situation. Watch the meeting below to hear it 1st hand and review the opionions expressed and the vote which followed.

Personnally, though I am a smoker, I had hoped that more consideration would be given to these issues, especially that of children and families wanting to enjoy the ‘Community Clubhouse’ as it seems very contradictory to have a sporting venue include risk of 2^nd hand smoke in the vicinity of children/families. It was a shame that is seemed (again, this is my perception of how things unfolded – watch the recording below, originally broadcast live, or speak to the Mayor or Councillors to form your own informed/educated opion or learn more as to why they chose to vote For or Against) they were pushed into making a quicker decision because of the way this issue was brought before them after imposition of a ban contrary to the by-law seeming to be damage control following the manager’s decision to atempt altering the by-law – something of course that must be brought before council (there would be no point in having by-laws if department heads could change/alter them on their own without consultation or having a vote put forward by council).