Health Board Proposals Would Make County, Public Buildings Smoke-Free BY ERIC CARLSON and bars throughout the county's unincorporated areas. "You have before you the fruits of their labors," no-smoking rules would be enforced against visitors to Smoking would be prohibited or restricted inside Health board Chairman Skip Davis and members Rhodes said in presenting the proposed regulations. He the complex. Davis said a major focus of the proposed all public buildings in Brunswick County?or just Don Warren and Dr. Harry Johnson dissented in the said the county-wide policy is "98-percent similar" to ban would be to control tobacco use in the waiting ar within the county government complex?if the board sccond vote. Warren is also chairman of the county one adopted in New Hanover County. cas outside the county courtrooms, where "people arc of commissioners adopts one of two new laws en- commissioners, suggesting that the idea of county- The rules governing the Brunswick County com- smoking cigarettes with both hands." dorsed by the board of health Monday night. wide smoking controls is likely to meet some opposi- plcx would also prohibit smoking within 25 feet of a Rhodes said Tuesday that department heads would The health board voted unanimously to ask the tion on the board that will ultimately decide whether to building's main door or within 15 feet of an auxiliary be responsible for enforcing the rules within their commissioners for approval of a smoking ban "within approve them. entrance. "No Smoking" signs would be required in all buildings. He said the departments of health and social all enclosed areas of public buildings and vehicles" The two anti-smoking proposals were drafted by a areas regulated by the policy. services have encountered few problems with volun owncd, maintained or managed by Brunswick County. 15-member committee of county employees chaired Any employee who violated the regulations would tary compliance since "No Smoking" signs were in And in a split vote, members asked the commis- by Health Director Michael Rhodes. The group was face disciplinary action under the county personnel stalled in 1986. However, he said some stricter cn sioncrs to consider extending the regulation of public originally formed to draft a smoking policy for gov- policy. "Repeated violations will lead to warnings and forccmcnt options might need to be added for other ar smoking to retail stores, service lines, elevators, public emment offices. But after its first meeting, the com- eventual termination," the proposed rules say. eas of the complex. rcstrooms, polling places and portions of restaurants miltec decided to expand its efforts county-wide. However, the regulations do not outline how the (See SMOKING, Page 2-A) THE Bl 4 iF l .l BINDER HO AG P.O. r.T cpplNGt-.'r * ut A'32': vff IV Thirty-First Year, Number 21 ?.????.hummock*?* Shallotte, North Carolina, Thursday, April 15, 1993 504 Per Copy 42 Pages, 3 Sections, 1 Insert UPSET BY VOTE AGAINST PRISON Member Blasts Development Board For Not Attracting Jobs BY ERIC CARLSON "I'm angry," Myric said in an interview Tuesday. A obviously frustrated and angry member of the "We're talking about throwing away S179,()00 of tax Brunswick County Resources Development Commis- payers' money for nothing. We would do better by using sion criticized the group this week for "doing nothing" that money to hire people at minimum wage than by to address the county's unemployment problem and having someone sitting up there with a brand-new car charged lhat RDC Exec- making a S50,0(X) salary." utivc Director Thomas <