TEEN SMOKERS CLOSE DOWN PARK IN B.C.

(added 20 September 1998)

A column in 'THE PROVINCE' - (Provincial Newspaper)- (20 Sept/98) was headlined:

"Hey! Teacher!

Leave those

kids alone"

The 'jist' of it is, that the insanity of forcing teen smokers off school property has resulted in a penalty for the general population.

BACKGROUND::

The School Board of Surrey, B.C. (with reference to Earl Marriott Secondary School in particular) has had to deal with students 'crossing the line' to White Rock in order to have a cigarette in MacCaud Park. (for those not familiar, Surrey/White Rock jurisdictions are a hair-breadth apart)

White Rock City Council issued an ultimatum to Surrey trustees: "Open the smoking pit again, or else."

RESULT:

Surrey refused to do so; White Rock City Council has actually CLOSED MacCaud Park to the general public from 07:00H to 16:00H - to protect .......?

The columnist asked, "Why not simply provide ashtrays in various parts of the schoolyard? Let them make their own decisions. Same kind of deal as the condom machines." (Smart columnist)

Good question. My sympathies are with the SENIOR CITIZENS who usually enjoy the amenities of MacCaud Park "from 07:00H to 16:00H" - a lot of them who fought in real wars to preserve freedom of choice.

So nice to have 'big brother/sister' looking out for us.