No More Beach Smoking Ban: What Gulfport's Saying

Here's what some Patch readers had to say about the Gulfport City Council's decision to lift a ban on smoking on the beach. What do you think? Join the conversation!

The news that Gulfport City Council opted to lift a ban on smoking on the beach got Patch readers talking earlier this month. The decision to lift the ban came just two months after a judge in Sarasota ruled the City cannot enforce outdoor smoking restrictions. Here's a selection of comments posted on Gulfport Patch in reaction to the news: Phil: "Way to go counsel members no we all can die a very slow painful death from second hand smoke. Smokers really don't care about other peoples health and want company while they are dying from smoking. Now Gulfport Beach will become a giant ash tray, thanks to the worthless counsel members who rather quit than fight the ban on smoking." Theresa Martin: "Thankfully these council members know they …

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Top Headlines: Paco's Tacos Opens; Blueberry Patch in 'Redneck' Reality Show

OK, so you had a busy week. We understand. Let us catch you up on all the highlights from Gulfport Patch!

Expect family recipes, fresh ingredients and a friendly atmosphere at Gulfport's newest casual restaurant. Did you miss The Blueberry Patch in "My Big Redneck Vacation" this weekend? Watch the entire episode here! The Second Annual So Classic Car Show lured enthusiasts, collectors and more to the Tangerine Greenway in Gulfport.  Gulfport City Council members unanimously voted to remove the smoking ban on the beach to end a lawsuit that claimed the ban was unconstitutional. As part of our coverage of the Gulfport City Elections this March, we are asking both Gulfport Mayor Candidates a "Question of the Week." Below is each candidate's answer to our third question. Sign up for the Gulfport Patch email newsletter to get our top headlines …

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Gulfport City Council

Council Poised to End Beach Smoking Ban

In an effort to end a lawsuit filed against the City of Gulfport, council members voted unanimously to remove a smoking ban on the beach during first reading Tuesday night.

Gulfport City Council members are moving forward with lifting a smoking ban on the beach. During a first reading Tuesday, all five members voted to remove the ban from the beach and allow designated smoking areas at athletic fields and facilities as well as children's outdoor play areas. The decision to remove the ban on the beach comes just one month after a judge in Sarasota ruled the City cannot enforce outdoor smoking restrictions. "A judge has ruled it's unconstitutional," Gulfport City Attorney Andrew Salzman said. The City is currently facing a lawsuit filed by St. Petersburg Attorney Andy Strickland, and the new ordinance is a compromise between the city and Mr. Strickland that would end the pending litigation. “There’s been no …

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Scott Ewing

6:33 am on Monday, January 21, 2013

Yes RJ (and the rest of you) you ARE a hater. Some people just have that overwhelming need. A generation ago, it would have been blacks, before that Jews, before that drinkers, Irish, opium smokers, smokers again, Japaneese, Chineese, etc. The mentality is the same; only the target varies. I smoke, I don't litter, and I'm not effecting YOUR health, because secondhand smoke is just an excuse to be…   more ›

Gulfport City Council

Beach Smoking Ban May be Removed

Gulfport City Council will vote whether or not to remove the beach from the city's outdoor smoking ban Tuesday night.

Gulfport City Council members will vote, during first reading, whether or not to eliminate the smoking ban on Gulfport Beach at the regular city council meeting tonight at 7 p.m. at Gulfport City Hall. Less than two weeks ago, Gulfport City Attorney Andrew Salzman suggested the council change the ordinance in order to come to a "compromise" and an end to a lawsuit filed against the city. Learn more about that in our article, "Smoking Ban 'Compromise' to Lift Ban on Beach." According to the agenda packet for tonight's meeting, which is available online: "The City of Gulfport is currently involved in litigation concerning the constitutionality of Section 17-31. A recent Sarasota county court decision has clarified some of the issues involved…

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Smoking Ban 'Compromise' to Lift Ban on Beach

City Attorney Andrew Salzman is drafting an ordinance he says would "resolve" the lawsuit challenging the city's smoking ban.

St. Petersburg attorney Andy Strickland has been fighting the city's smoking ban since January of last year, claiming the ban is illegal and unconstitutional. Strickland held two "smoke in" protests on the beach and filed a lawsuit against the City of Gulfport regarding a citation he received for smoking on the beach in April. Gulfport City Attorney Andrew Salzman says he's held several shade meetings, attended hearings and filed a motion to dismiss, again, on December 14, 2012. During Thursday night's City Council Meeting, Attorney Salzman told councilors about the next step regarding the lawsuit. Salzman plans to resolve the pending litigation before both parties are due back in court on Feb. 25. He is moving forward with drafting an …

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CJ

4:58 pm on Tuesday, January 8, 2013

Very good Denise!! You are perfectly correct! I am so impressed. My riddle was not really that hard, but you can be proud you are still among the few that seem to remember where this all started. I knew somebody would know! Well...it's that time of year again. All these litter projects are going to start up again, and the cig butts are still going to be the ugly truth about what needs to be done…   more ›

Gulfport City Council

Lawsuit Challenges Smoking Ban

The Gulfport City Council will meet to discuss a lawsuit filed by St. Petersburg attorney Andy Strickland regarding the ticket he received for smoking on the beach.

St. Petersburg attorney Andy Strickland filed a lawsuit against the City of Gulfport regarding a citation he received for smoking on the beach on April 21. Strickland did not provide any further details about the case. Strickland told Patch, in a previous story, that he wanted to challenge the ban in court. City Attorney Jim O'Reilly confirmed, with Patch, that the litigation is regarding a ticket Strickland received for smoking on the beach. On Tuesday, June 19, the Gulfport City Council, City Manager and City Attorney will discuss the case during a "shade meeting" at 4:30 p.m. at Gulfport City Hall. The meeting is not public. According to the agenda, the case is titled: Andy G. Strickland, Petitioner, vs. the City of Gulfport, Florida, a…

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