Smoke free now includes all Gainesville city parks

GAINESVILLE - It is now against the law to smoke in a Gainesville City Park.
City Council passed the no smoking amendment to its Recreation and Parks ordinance Tuesday morning during their regular voting session.
Smokers are now barred from lighting up in any city park; that includes sports complexes and outdoor recreation areas.
Long time 'smoke free' advocate, Councilman George Wangemann, called it a victory.

"This is a great victory for Gainesville and its citizens," Wangemann said. "This is a pro-health ordinance and I think most people should be very pleased with what we've done here today."

Wangemann said the ordinance amendment takes effect immediately; no smoking signs in the parks should be going up soon.

That's my understanding," Wangemann added. "Melvin Cooper and Company (Gainesville's Parks and Recreation Director) will be putting up signs, letting folks know that all of our park and recreation areas are smoke free."

City Council also approved on first reading an alcohol beverage ordinance amendment that excludes Brenau University or any future college or university locating in Gainesville from the alcohol sale distance requirement.
The application must be state and university approved, applicants are subject to all city underage drinking requirements and are limited to six special temporary events a year at three days each.
Also, the City of Gainesville may now levy its hotel-motel tax on longer room occupancy under an ordinance that got final Council approval.
Councilman Bob Hamrick said the city was implementing a state law change that expands the occupancy period subject to tax from 10 days to 30 days.