The City of Weyburn is again being asked to consider making legislation to go smoke-free in all public areas, in the wake of a referendum in Moose Jaw where voters supported such a move.

The Heart and Stroke Foundation sent the letter out following the referendum, which was held as part of the civic election on Oct. 22. In the vote, Moose Jaw electors chose by close to a two-to-one margin to support a strong smoke-free bylaw, including such places as bars and bingo halls.

The foundation also cited a study by the Saskatoon health district that the public not only supports smoke-free bylaws, but such a bylaw would bring in more hospitality business.

As before when the suggestion was made, the city brought up the public meeting held with the Chamber of Commerce back in 2001, in which the chamber members said they would prefer the issue to be mandated by the province rather than the city taking initiative.

Weyburn did take a resolution supporting this position to the SUMA convention, where it was adopted by the members present.

As far as provincial legislation goes, city manager Bob Smith pointed out that by 2005, the government will only legislate that 60 per cent of public places be made smoke-free.

"The province feels they've done their part, and it's up to municipalities to go 100 per cent if they want to be smoke-free," added Smith.

Coun. Ray Hamm said the province's legislation doesn't go far enough, as they say they want to protect children from being in areas where there's smoking, yet their legislation makes room for some exemptions, such as bowling alleys, where often there are children present.

"At the regional meeting held on Thursday, the feeling is what the government has done is another example of downloading, namely taking a responsibility that should be theirs and passing it down to the local level. It should a provincial issue," said Hamm

"Another big issue is enforcement. Who's going to enforce it? Winnipeg has passed (a smoke-free policy) but they haven't decided who's going to enforce it. There's a lot of pros and cons. I agree it's a provincial issue, otherwise it's going to be different in every community," added Mayor Don Schlosser.

On the other hand, said Coun. Rob Stephanson, the city shouldn't be sitting around waiting for the province to act; if the province doesn't act after a certain time, then the city should.

"This gives us the opportunity to watch what happens in Moose Jaw. Myself I feel if the government doesn't do something with this, I could see our council taking action," he said.

In a related issue, the city recently took a poll on its web site, asking who should regulate and enforce smoking regulations in the city. A total of 106 votes were received, and of those, 39.6 per cent or 42 said it's the business and public's place to regulate and enforce; 23.6 per cent support the government setting regulations; 22.6 per cent said the city should enforce it; and the federal government only received 7.5 per cent and health regional authority 6.6 per cent support to enforce smoking laws.

The city's tourism committee, in conjunction with the Southeast Regional Tourism Association, has made three nominations from Weyburn for the provincial tourism awards, said Coun. Stephanson.

The first nomination is for children's author Joanne Bannatyne-Cugnet for a creative excellence award; secondly, the city's Hunter Hospitality evenings for the Spirit of Saskatchewan award; and thirdly, Fred Bennett has been nominated for the service excellence award for individuals.

She said the nominees will be short-listed around mid-February to three finalists in each category, and the gala awards banquet will be held in Saskatoon on March 14.

City councillors, including the mayor, are concerned about a request for funding and for a meeting by the Saskatchewan City Mayors Caucus that it might be undermining the work of SUMA.

The City Mayors Caucus, which includes Mayor Schlosser, sent two letters for endorsement by city council, including a request from the Saskatchewan Urban Municipalities Association (SUMA) for $20,000 in funding. The second letter seeks a meeting with Len Taylor, the new minister for Government Relations, and with the premier, on a number of issues, such as alternate revenue sources, such as one-cent-a-litre fuel tax, and infrastructure funding, issues which are being lobbied for by SUMA.

"The concern I have is if SUMA doesn't have $20,000 in their budget. What the city mayors are asking is that it be covered by the cities on a per capita basis. I feel we all pay into SUMA, and we should continue to utilize them. We have a great staff there," said Mayor Schlosser, adding he cannot support having the city pay their share of the money if SUMA can't spare $20,000 for the caucus.

City manager Smith said there isn't anything the caucus is asking for that isn't being done by SUMA. On the issue of one-cent a litre for extra revenue, he noted the vote by SUMA was split between cities on one side and towns and villages on the other, with the towns and villages voting the proposal down.

Council supported sending a letter in favour of the caucus meeting with the minister, but Mayor Schlosser wanted the condition added that SUMA's president and executive also be present.
In other council business:

· As a result of the retirement of Sgt. David Stadel from the Weyburn Police Service, the police department received five applications, and the police commission decided to give the promotion to Const. Dana Pretzer.

· The police commission is also working on a request to decrease the speed on Highway 39 by Wal-Mart and the future Canadian Tire stores; commission members were concerned the speed is currently 80 km an hour, and are in discussion with Highways to reduce that speed to 60 km/h.

· Discussion on the Sunday morning sports bylaw came up at the Leisure Services Commission; members there said if minor hockey coaches want it changed, they need to follow protocol and file a petition with council, who will then look at the issue again. Also, the commission set rates for the new multi-use room in the Colosseum, and for the new storage space that is available as a result of the renovations.