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

Gulfport City Council Announces Spirit of Gulfport Award, Hears Active Evening of Public Comment

A number of residents approached the council Tuesday night covering the gamut of concerns and announcements.

The Gulfport City Council covered numerous issues Tuesday night with a healthy dose of public input. The meeting began with the presentation of the Spirit of Gulfport Award to Steve Karbowski for his dedication to the crime prevention group in the northwestern section of the city. Since early 2009 Mr. Karbowski and his family have led a group of neighbors to become active in the attempt to reduce crime in their neighborhood. Mr. Karbowski and his family stepped to the podium to accept the award from Mayor Michael Yakes. “Along with that, so you will enjoy this quality city that you are a great part of, is the key to the city,” Mr. Yakes announced. “Council Member Salmon is the one that acknowledged your greatness.” In the past year Mr. …

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