BY PHIL WIELAND, Times of Northwest Indiana Correspondent
VALPARAISO | A six-member panel has been created to look into the issue of whether smoking should be allowed in public buildings in Valparaiso.
Smoking in restaurants came under considerable debate last fall when the council was looking at recommending new full-service liquor licenses for the downtown. One of the conditions created to qualify for the licenses was that the restaurant be smoke free.
The condition did not apply to any other facilities in the city except those seeking the new licenses, of which six are still left. At its meeting Monday, the council agreed to create the panel headed by Bruce Berner, president of the city's Plan Commission, and including councilmen Joey Larr and Jan Dick.
Other members of the panel include Russ Adams, owner of Strongbow Inn and Pastimes; Charles Parsons, former human resources director; and Susan Gleason, representing the Tobacco Coalition.
The group is expected to report back in six months with an ordinance for the council to consider on whether smoking should be allowed, and, if it is, how it should be regulated. During the debate over the new liquor licenses, some felt it should be allowed with proper ventilation or in a separate area of the restaurant.
"What can we expect from this commission?" asked Councilman Ed Howe.
"A lot of arguments," Larr said.
After Mayor Jon Costas said it was debate rather than argument, Larr said the group would bring back something the council could approve "without too much bickering."