Tahlequah Daily Press

Editorials

May 5, 2010

Council action reflective of social climate

TAHLEQUAH — Two actions taken by the Tahlequah City Council Monday night may seem to stand in stark contrast, but both decisions reflect a changing social environment and a far-reaching view of what will most benefit the city.

First, councilors unanimously approved an ordinance that bans tobacco use of any kind in city parks. Then, on a split vote that required a tie-breaker from Mayor Ken Purdy in tandem with Councilors Jason Nichols and Jack Spears, they agreed to allow the sale of beer in Norris Park during the Speed Wheel Bike Race.

At initial glance, it might be tempting to ask why one “vice” is being allowed, while another is prohibited. But that would be an apples-to-oranges comparison. Science has proved smoking is bad for one’s health, and second-hand smoke may be just as dangerous. On the other hand, beer and other types of alcohol, when consumed in moderation, pose no such problems.

The tobacco ban will no doubt be controversial, but it’s a practical move on several levels. Not only does it make strides in protecting public health, it also should help keep the parks cleaner. Unsightly cigarette butts and wads of chewing tobacco on sidewalks and in the grass are not appealing to visitors. And since a group of young people – Students Working Against Tobacco – constituted the prime movers and shakers behind the measure, what sort of message would older adults be sending in refusing compliance with their sensible suggestion?

A few years ago, the Daily Press staff conducted an informal survey to determine if local residents would support such a ban on tobacco. More than 75 percent thought it was a good idea, and that number included many smokers. A similar number of people supported the occasional and limited sale of alcoholic beverages at city venues. Some respondents even noted they themselves did not approve of consuming alcohol, mainly for religious reasons, but they did not want to impose their views on others. Only a small handful of individuals acknowledged the desire to bend society to their own moral or ethical rules.

There are a number of reasons for allowing the controlled sale of alcoholic beverages during certain events, but the economic angle is the most important. Also, when a majority of participants prefer to imbibe, it’s only logical the host city provide them with what they want. Just about every other city in the U.S. has tossed the notion of total temperance out the window, and Tahlequah should be no different. Even the most family-oriented place in the country, Walt Disney World, serves alcoholic beverages everywhere but in the Magic Kingdom.

Besides, as Spears pointed out, we can point to a precedent: last year’s bike race. No problems arose then, and with proper policing, the same should hold true this year.

Police Chief Clay Mahaney may be right when he says enforcing the tobacco ordinance may be more challenging, especially when it comes to smokeless tobacco. But still, it’s good place to start, and we commend the council for taking the step to make the parks a good place for everyone to play.

Text Only
Editorials
  • Cancelling class complicated call

    The decision by Tahlequah Public Schools officials to hold classes Monday, despite the threat of a snowstorm, sparked a bit more controversy than similar cases in the past. Perhaps the reaction was related to the looming school board election, or it may have been a culmination of years of frustration on the part of parents and patrons.

    February 15, 2012

  • Banning inside trading was the only way to go

    Though the action was a no-brainer where the public is concerned, the U.S. Senate made the right move last week when it approved a bill clarifying that it’s illegal for members of Congress, their staffs and many executive-branch employees to use insider information to get a leg up on stock trading.

    February 13, 2012

  • Earmarks by Inhofe, others aren’t right

    That smell in the air  might not be bacon frying in your kitchen, but the unfolding of another porky project for an Oklahoma politician.

    February 10, 2012

  • Press release deadlines for candidates

    If you are running for a political office for which Cherokee County voters can cast ballots, it’s not too early to be thinking about a press release announcing your candidacy. Indeed, some have announcements already appeared in the Daily Press.

    February 8, 2012

  • Superintendent pay: Freeze it

    Rep. Jason Nelson, R-Oklahoma City, may not have planned to seek hero status; perhaps his action was even designed to make up for past legislative offenses. Either way, he’s about to become the darling of the moment for many Oklahomans who believe certain public school superintendents make far too much money.
    Nelson is calling for a freeze on superintendents’ salaries, and rightly so.

    February 6, 2012

  • Is your stuff not getting published?

    If you’re a regular contributor to the “news” side of the Daily Press, we hope you haven’t noticed anything missing lately – like copy or photos you’ve submitted to us for publication. But if you have, there’s a good reason why, and there’s something you can do about it.

    February 2, 2012

  • Cast your ballot, for children’s sake

    As the old saying goes, if you don’t vote, you don’t have a right to complain about what you get.

    January 18, 2012

  • Do your part to help THS senior party

    Graduation from high school is a rite of passage – for many young people, the first major milestone in their lives. It signifies the end of childhood, and the crossing of the threshold into adulthood, although the newly minted adults still won’t be old enough to drink for another couple of years.

    January 14, 2012

  • Drivers must stop for all school buses

    Earlier this week, an 11-year-old boy was struck by a car after he got off a school bus on Downing Street. Fortunately, the boy wasn’t gravely injured, but he could have been.

    January 13, 2012

  • Service unappreciated

    It has become evident that the sentiment, “thank you for your service,” is an empty one when it comes to the medical profession.

    January 13, 2012

Poll

This question is not for people who have never attended church, nor those who still attend the same church they always did. It's for those who no longer attend their original church of choice. Why did you stop attending your original church?

No longer believe in that church's teachings (either stopped altogether or attend different church).
Boring sermons or music, or too many disruptions during service (crying infants, etc.)
Work schedule, lack of transportation, chronic illness or other personal issues.
Personal disputes with the pastor or other church members.
Lack of meaningful programs for youth, young adults, etc.
Moved away.
Combination of the above.
None of the above.
     View Results
Press Sports Twitter Updates
Follow us on twitter
Follow me on Twitter
AP Video
Student Photos 'hijacked', Used on Porn Site Should U.S. Arm Medevacs in Afghanistan? Foreclosures Rise Only Slightly, More Expected Old Friends, New Mission: China VP Visits Iowa Chinese Leader Builds Relationships on Iowa Trip Jeremy Lin a Slam-dunk for Knicks and Fans Defense Begins in UVA Player Murder Trial More Than 350 Die in Honduran Prison Fire Defiant Iran Loads Own Fuel Rods Into Reactor Lawmakers Move to Cusp of Payroll Tax Cut Deal Raw Video: Syrian Army, Rebels Battle in Homs Video Essay: Saving the Miami Blue Butterfly NYPD Officer Shot During Subway Confrontation Obama's Valentine's Advice: 'Go Big' San Francisco's Valentine's Gift to Tony Bennett Iranian Boats Shadow US Aircraft Carrier in Gulf Hundreds Rally Against Alabama Immigration Law Whitney Houston Funeral to Be Invitation Only New Details in Search for Missing Utah Mom Raw Video: Protesters, Security Clash in Bahrain
Stocks
Bedlam