Thanks to all of you wrote in advance or spoke at last night’s public hearing on the proposal.  From what has been shared so far, most folks are in favor of regulating outdoor tobacco smoke. There are differences of opinion in the implementation and detail of our proposal. For example, some folks would like to have the proposed Smoke Free area of the inner Commons extended further East to Aurora Street, and others would like to see it extend further West to the chess playing area. All make compelling arguments. I caution that we consider the smaller we make the areas where smoking is allowed, the more concentrated those areas will become. We’re trying to achieve a balance that isn’t going to be perfect but hopefully workable and definitely far more protective of public health than what we have now. Please continue to send thoughts, concerns, questions to me at erosario@cityofithaca.org or post them to this site.