|
Updated: 7:28 AM Oct 28, 2009
Nitro Leaders Look to Sidestep Kanawha Smoking Ban
Leaders in Nitro are hoping to move out from under the Kanawha-Charleston Health Department and merge with the Putnam County Health Department. This move is due to the Kanawha County smoking ban and Tri-State Racetrack and Casino's claim that it's costing them millions.
Posted: 11:30 PM Oct 27, 2009Reporter: Kallie Cart Email Address: kallie.cart@wsaz.com |
|
31 Comments 
PUTNAM COUNTY, W.Va. (WSAZ) -- If you don't like the rules in one county, just move to the county next door.
Leaders in Nitro are hoping to move out from under the Kanawha-Charleston Health Department and merge with the Putnam County Health Department. This move is due to the Kanawha County smoking ban and Tri-State Racetrack and Casino's claim that it's costing them millions.
Nitro passed an ordinance a couple of months ago allowing smoking at the racetrack. But rather than face a costly legal fight, Nitro City Councilman Craig Matthews says the better route is to merge with the Putnam County Health Department. Part of Nitro is in Putnam County.
At a health board meeting Tuesday night, Councilman Matthews laid out a plan for the merger. He says West Virginia law allows a municipality to create its own health department or merge with nearby county. He says it would be too expensive for the city of Nitro to form its own health department, but a merger would be viable.
Nitro says they've lost $200,000 in taxes at Tri-State Racetrack due to the smoking ban. Nitro is willing to give Putnam County $140,000 to hire two new health inspectors to pick the additional work in Nitro. In exchange, the racetrack, all bars and fraternal organizations in Nitro could allow smoking.
Putnam County Health officials didn't reject the plan, but they have a lot of questions and concerns. One issue is all of the additional health services that they would have to provide to the citizens of Nitro.
Health officials say they'll have to look at additional information before making a decision. They also say they want to hear from the public on the issue.
Councilman Matthews says if this plan doesn't work, Nitro will either have to create its own health department or take on the legal fight from Kanawha County if Tri-State allows smoking.
Latest Comments
Tri-State is LYING. The revenue can't possibility be down! The last 3 times we was there it was so busy we couldn't even gamble. The table games were packed and the slots were so busy people were waiting in line to play. Yet, they claim the smoking ban is hurting business. Total lies.
The priority is... We are not, and do not wish to be Nazi Germany or Communist China. The last thing we need is government telling us what we can do and where we can do it. If an individual business wishes to enforce a no smoking policy, that's fine. The fact is there are lots of smokers who pay good money and spend lots of time at these places. Businesses have always had smoking and non-smoking sections to accommodate all. If smoking's not your thing then go to the non-smoking section. I do not want State or Federal Government meddling in our affairs. We are on the verge of becoming the United Police States of America. I enjoy my freedoms and they are being taken away every day without people realizing it. This should be a business/ consumer issue.
What happened to the Tri-State Casino & Resort going smoke free? They prefer to allow "Going Green- fiancially" vs. those who injest the smoke from those wonderful smokers to cause numerous illness from upper respiratory; asthma; carring the aroma with you everyone that even accidentially enters the smokers area "already provided" to the suffering death of 2nd hand smoker getting cancer, etc. That is really sad for many of us would love to go to just kick back, have some fun and enjoy their fine resturants. Where are the priorities - apparently it isn't for those who cannot tolerate the smoke. Thanks for not giving a darn.
|
|
|
Popular Searches Powered by Local.com |
- UPDATE: High School Holds Vigil for 16-year-old Killed by Train
- UPDATE: More than a Dozen Homeless from West Huntington Apartment Building Fire
- UPDATE: Husband and Wife Arrested in Meth Lab Bust
- Four Plead Guilty in Marijuana Conspiracy
- NEW INFO: Suspect Arrested in Huntington Shooting
- I-77 Southbound Lanes Reopens After Accident
- City of Charleston Files Civil Lawsuit Against Fire Department
- Patriot Coal to Halt Production at Boone Mine, Layoffs Reported
- Gallipolis Man Killed in Crash
- Former Jail Official Arrested Again on DUI Charges
- UPDATE: Former Mason County School Board Member Arraigned; Replacement Selected
192 Comments - UPDATE: High School Holds Vigil for 16-year-old Killed by Train
140 Comments - NEW INFO: Garner Ordered Back to Prison for Home Confinement Violations
94 Comments - UPDATE: W.Va. Judge Refuses to Stay Big East Lawsuit
76 Comments - Former Jail Official Arrested Again on DUI Charges
65 Comments - UPDATE: Mother Pleads Guilty of Child Neglect Causing Death
56 Comments
- Syria violence rages with Security Council set for vote
- WikiLeaks: Soldier faces court martial
- Second teacher at L.A. school arrested
- Lance Armstrong probe dropped
- Komen restores Parenthood funding
- Opinion: Women's care not just breasts
- Candidates hit Nevada before caucuses
- Men sentenced in lesbian's slaying
- Man pleads guilty in 7-year-old's murder
- 'Wild Orchid' director Zalman King dies
- Prosecutors drop Lance Armstrong doping investigation
- Komen apologizes, restores Planned Parenthood funding
- Pardoned DUI convict faces more charges in fatal accident
- Second teacher removed from L.A. school in lewd bondage probe
- Teacher must remain in custody over alleged beheading plot
- Major snow storm targets Denver area
- Authorities: Human smuggling ring used African-American drivers
- Nevada housing: No silver lining
- Boxing trainer Angelo Dundee dies
- Why Don Cornelius mattered
- Protests shrouded in secrecy
- Anger flares in Egypt after deadly riot
- Officials: 2 kidnapped Americans released in Egypt
- Iran's leader warns U.S. on war
- Men sentenced to 18 years for slaying S. African lesbian
- Hackers release private FBI call about hackers
- More than 100 missing in ferry sinking
- U.S. accuses Sudan of bombing civillians
- Underwater search of Italy cruise ship halted
- Aborigines' complex role in Australia
- Band camp, other clubs suspended
- More members accused of hazing
- Board approves plan to battle hazing
- Words matter in Penn State case
- Out-of-county jury for Sandusky?
- Sandusky wants to see grandkids
- Paterno remembered at memorial
- 4th accuser drops abuse allegations
- Accuser pleads guilty to child sex
- Attorney: Victims to sue university
- Seth Davis: OSU-Wisconsin, Kansas-Missouri, more weekend hoops picks
- Calhoun's storied run at UConn may end
- Peter King: Patriots' Light must hold up against Giants' fierce pass-rushers
- Luke Winn: FSU commit Menelik Watson trades in the hardwood for the gridiron
- Heat explode in fourth to cool off surging Sixers
- Calhoun on indefinite medical leave
- Prosecutors close Armstrong inquiry; no charges
- NFL to expand schedule of Thursday night games
- Meyer, OSU defend recruiting tactics
- Hamilton admits 'weak moment'
 |
SOMC
Very good things are happening here. Click here to learn more |
 |
Click here for school closings and delays |
 |
Watch the Lottery Live Monday - Saturday @ 6:59pm on WSAZ NewsChannel 3. Need to check your numbers? Click here. |
 |
Watch the Ohio Lottery Drawings weeknights @ 7:29pm and Cash Explosion Saturday @ 7:30pm on WSAZ NewsChannel 3. |
 |
Click here to donate and help WSAZ help children at risk in our region. Thank you. |
 |
Click here to see how our partners are making Moms and women's lives easier. |
