The Board of Commissioners has voted to prohibit smoking entirely from Rockford Park District facilities or parks with the exception of public golf courses where adult smoking is permitted beyond 50 feet of enclosed/partially-enclosed spaces.

ROCKFORD

Park District bans smoking from all parks, facilities

The Board of Commissioners has voted to prohibit smoking entirely from Park District facilities or parks with the exception of public golf courses where adult smoking is permitted beyond 50 feet of enclosed/partially-enclosed spaces on golf course playing fields in the company of consenting adults and absent assembly by the general public.

The former ordinance stated that smoking was prohibited within 50 feet of Park District buildings, bleachers, playground, and concession areas. Last week, the Board of Commissioners voted to prohibit smoking entirely from Park District facilities or parks with the exception of public golf courses where adult smoking is permitted beyond 50 feet of enclosed/partially-enclosed spaces on golf course playing fields in the company of consenting adults and absent assembly by the general public.

The resolution includes any “lighted or vaporized substance in any manner or form,” including cigars, cigarettes, pipes, and e-cigarettes.

“It is our priority to provide residents with diverse, well‐supported and safe recreational activities for their health, well‐being and entertainment. Updating this ordinance has clear health benefits, will reduce litter in our parks, and will help protect our patrons, particularly youth, from exposure to second-hand smoke,” said Rockford Park District Board of Commissioners President Ian Linnabary.

For a first offense in any 12-month period, the fine for violation of this Section 9.18 shall be $125.00, $250 for a second violation and $500 for each succeeding violation.

ROCK VALLEY

Board seats Dunn to fill vacant board post

The Rock Valley College Board of Trustees has appointed Michael Dunn, Jr. to the seat vacated by Ashley Burks after her resignation late last year.

The Board had 60 days to appoint a new trustee to fill Burks’ vacant seat. At last week’s Special Board Meeting Dunn resigned his expiring seat last week and was then  reappointed to fill Burks’ vacant seat.

“In order to retain continuity and experience on the Board, specifically at a time where the College has recently hired a new president and some new administrators, and will be welcoming three new trustees after the upcoming April elections, the importance of retaining Trustee Dunn’s knowledge and leadership during this time of transition were key factors in the Board’s decision,” said Patrick Murphy, RVC Board of Trustees Chairman.

Dunn will fill the vacant position until the next election cycle in April 2019.

There are still three seats for the RVC Board of Trustees on the ballot for the April 4 election.

ROCKFORD

Extension session focuses on backyard apple trees

University of Illinois Extension will host a Backyard Apple Tree School on March 23 from 1-4 p.m. at the Rockford Public Library East Branch.

Backyard Apple Tree School is for new growers and homeowners and will give an overview of production, weed and insect control, and general management suggestions for apple trees.

“We continue to get questions from home gardeners and small growers about how to get started in growing apples or how to manage the apple trees they already have,” states University of Illinois Extension Local Foods and Small Farms Educator, Grant McCarty. “As a result, we’ve decided to host a program for anyone interested in growing their own apple trees.”

Pre-registration is required and can be completed online at http://web.extension.illinois.edu/jsw or by calling the Winnebago County Extension Office at 815-986-4357. There is a $15 registration fee, which covers materials and handouts.

–Winnebago County News Briefs–