Thursday, April 25, 2013
One Bay area county is considering it and we’d like to get your take on the issue!
The days of smokers being able to light up in restaurants, public buildings and the workplace are long since over. After all, it’s common knowledge that smoking is bad for a person’s health and the health of others around the smoker. But, should smokers be denied employment? Pasco County is grappling with just that question as other Bay area agencies have made the switch to hiring only nonsmokers, citing skyrocketing insurance costs. Sarasota County already bans smokers from being hired. The Pasco Sheriff’s Office has employed the anti-employment practice since 2008. Other employers, including hospitals and cities throughout the state have similar rules on the books. While the list of employers that won’t hire smokers climbs, the practice …
Wednesday, February 6, 2013
Gulfport City Council members unanimously voted to remove the smoking ban on the beach to end a lawsuit that claimed the ban was unconstitutional.
All five Gulfport City Councilors voted Tuesday to remove the smoking ban on the beach and allow designated smoking areas at athletic fields and facilities as well as children's outdoor play areas. The decision to lift the ban on the beach comes just two months 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 told Patch. Salzman recommended the change as a "compromise" to end a lawsuit filed against the city by St. Petersburg Attorney Andy Strickland. Strickland challenged the ban and claimed it was unconstitutional and illegal. According to a Florida Statute, the regulation of smoking is up to the state, not local …
Sunday, January 20, 2013
This week's top stories include a manhunt to find the suspect in the shooting death of Destynee Burkes of Gulfport and a second shooting of a man in St. Pete.
$50,000 Reward Offered in Double Murder: Sheriff Gualtieri said he believes Jamaal Jenkins is still in St. Petersburg/Pinellas County. Jenkins is considered a serious threat to public safety. Gulfport Woman's Death Linked to Love Triangle: Investigators have launched a manhunt to find the suspect in the shooting death of Destynee Burkes of Gulfport and a second shooting of a man in St. Pete. Jail Bookings Report: Jan. 7 - 13: The following people were arrested by Gulfport Police between January 7 - 13, 2013. The information is provided by the Gulfport Police Department and the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office. Council Poised to End Beach Smoking Ban: In an effort to end a lawsuit filed against the City of Gulfport, council members voted …
Wednesday, January 16, 2013
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 …
Tuesday, January 15, 2013
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…
Friday, January 4, 2013
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 …
Sunday, June 24, 2012
Did you miss this week's top stories?
Lawsuit Challenges Smoking Ban: 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. Car Burglaries Lead to Arrests: A surveillance operation led to the arrest of three suspects in connection with at least a half-dozen break-ins of vehicles. Jail Bookings Report: June 11 - 17: The following people were arrested in Gulfport between June 11 and June 17. The information is from Gulfport Police and the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office. Gulfport Crime Map: June 18 - 22: Here is information on crime reports from June 18- 22, 2012, filed by Gulfport Police to Pinellas County. War Hero Receives the Spirit of Gulfport Award: Few residents receive …
Tuesday, June 19, 2012
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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Sunday, April 29, 2012
Did you miss this week's top stories? Cash Mob, Rebuilding Together Tampa Bay, "Smoke In" at the Gulfport Beach, Local Artist Nancy Cervenka and more in our "Week in Review."
Gulfport Homeowners Thankful for Rebuilding Together Tampa Bay: "I know this is an answer to my prayer," Dorothy Everett said as volunteers and organizers reviewed her Gulfport home in preparation of National Rebuild Day on Saturday, April 28. Film is Art for Nancy Cervenka, Literally: Nancy Cervenka went from studying cinematography to making sculptures from the very material she was learning about. Now, she’s a full time artist and loves every second of it. Cash Mob Invades Gulfport Business: With cash in their hands, more than a dozen shoppers braved the heavy rain and invaded Kozy Kazual Wears during Gulfport's first Cash Mob. 'Smoke In' Results in Second Citation for Attorney: St. Petersburg Attorney Andy Strickland received a …
Monday, April 23, 2012
St. Petersburg Attorney Andy Strickland received a citation for smoking on the beach during his second peaceful protest on Saturday. Strickland wants to challenge the ban in court.
For the second time this year, Immigration Attorney Andy Strickland deliberately violated the city's no smoking ordinance and received a citation. Strickland believes that the ban is illegal and unconstitutional and wants to challenge the charge in court. Strickland tried this at least twice before, finally receiving a citation in February. He prepared for his day in court when, to his surprise, the charges were dropped at the discretion of the Gulfport City Manager and City Attorney. City Attorney Andrew Salzman told Gulfport Patch in a previous story, "We wanted to bring it forward to the Special Master, versus going through the expense of county court.” That prompted his latest "smoke in" on Saturday. ***** More than a dozen supporters …
1MommaG
5:40 pm on Tuesday, May 14, 2013
Of course government agencies should not hire smokers or drug abusers. Prospective government employees should submit to the same testing as prospective government welfare recipients. Oh, yeah, drug testing freeloaders was deemed discriminatory. Setting aside sarcasm now; all employers should be able to employ whoever they want, as long as they don't discriminate based on something a prospective … more ›