Mayor Billy Barlow and the common council of the city of Oswego are moving forward with plans to ban styrofoam containers and restrict the public use of tobacco and vaping in the Port City.
The proposed bans will attempt to decrease pollution levels and make public areas more accessible to citizens.
The proposal, known as the “Keep Oswego Clean Initiative” bans “the use of expanded polystyrene containers,” in the city of Oswego, as well as, “cigarettes, cigars, pipes or any form of tobacco products in or on any city-owned parks, beaches, pools, recreation centers, playgrounds, outdoor sporting arenas, outdoor stages, parking garages or the sidewalks immediately adjoining the parks outdoor recreation areas, parking garages and public places.”
Barlow, who proposed the initiative, said the new laws will “protect our environment by preventing litter, eliminating smoking from public spaces and city events.” Barlow feels litter, and more specifically smoking, inhibits people’s ability to enjoy public spaces.
“As a waterfront community, I believe we have an even greater responsibility to be environmentally conscious and protective,” Barlow said.
Under the proposed laws, any business that serves its customers products in styrofoam containers would be fined “not more than $100 for a first violation,” and “a fine not exceeding $200 for a subsequent violation.” Styrofoam was banned particularly because it was found to be “a significant portion of the trash polluting local waterways.”
Violators of the proposed smoking and vaping ban will be fined $100 to $150 for their first offense and up to $200 if caught in violation a second time. If a smoker is caught violating the initiative three times they could face fines of up to $250 and “imprisonment of not more than 15 days.”
Businesses and Oswego State students had different views on the styrofoam ban.
Dunkin Donuts employees were unpleasantly surprised by the change. Employees from the restaurant on West Seneca St. said customers would rather come to their store than the new Dunkin Donuts on West First St. because they did not like the paper cups. The employee felt the the ban would negatively affect the restaurants business because customers prefer the styrofoam cups.
Oswego State students were more optimistic about the styrofoam ban, believing that the proposed laws would benefit the environment.
“I think it’s a good idea,” senior journalism major Savannah Norton said. “Not using styrofoam is a good start. It should help the environment.”
Anthropology major Noah Dion felt styrofoam was “not good for the environment,” but he did not think the styrofoam ban was enough. “I think bigger things need to be done, but every little bit helps,” he said. Dion was happy with the direction the new initiative was taking.
When asked about the smoking ban on and near city-owned property, students were more divided, with some unsure if the penalties were too harsh.
Freshman political science major Sarah Tilley said, “It would be good if smoking was banned in public places, but then again people have a right to smoke.”
In regards to the smoking ban, Noah Dion said, “People will still do it. Smoking was banned on campus, but you still see people doing it regardless of the rules. I don’t think it will change anything.”
City officials hope to make the city of Oswego a regional leader in environmentally friendly laws and healthy living.
Photo by Sierra Davis | The Oswegonian
