By The Paper staff
WABASH – An ordinance banning smoking in public parks and at public events on city property was defeated on second reading Monday night by the Wabash City Council.
The Council voted 4-2 against the measure, which approved on first reading on Nov. 25.
The vote came following a brief discussion at which the majority of the members of the public who were at the meeting spoke against the measure.
Council members Doug Adams, Bryan Dillon, Marc Shelly and Mitch Figert voted against the ordinance, while Bob Greene and Eric Schoening supported it. Adams was the only Council member to oppose the measure on first reading.
City ordinance now prohibits smoking within 50 feet of playground equipment. However, Mayor Scott Long sought to strengthen the measure after seeing people smoking in the pavilion at Friendship Hill, the city’s inclusive park.
