By Hub City Times staff

MARSHFIELD – Marshfield aldermen will not be extending the city’s current ban on smoking to include all areas of all city-owned parks. On Nov. 12, the common council voted against a proposed amendment to its public nuisance smoking bans, which currently prohibit smoking in certain park areas.

Alderman Rebecca Spiros didn’t favor the idea.

In September, the city’s Parks, Recreation and Forestry Committee amended their current policy to prohibit smoking in all city-owned parks, with the exception of parking lots, sidewalks and other designated areas.

Alderman Ken Bargender said there’s no way the new restrictions could be enforced.

Alderman Tom Witzel said the extended ban would go a long toward making all of Marshfield a family-friendly city.

The Council did vote 5-4 in favor of the smoking ban extension, but the ordinance required a simple majority of six votes for passage.

The prohibition of smoking in parks has been discussed for many years. The current ban on smoking in certain park areas was passed in 2007, but the city routinely receives complaints about the activity.