I smoke and would never, ever blow it in a child's face. That should be illegal! But banning it from a beach now/too come on. Why don't you complain about the bird poop that has been on the beach soo darn bad that you couldn't even walk into the bathroom at one time without stepping in it. Haven't been there in a while but that was and is unhealthy too. Just Nasty haven't been back since. There could be a segregated smoking area or something but stop with the almighty better then thow act. We still have the right to smoke outdoors and should be able to exercise that with out harming children, especially, and move from them without offending every person who may not smoke. You ever think you may be invading my public space. I am a mom and would respect other peoples rights too and either move or ask the offender to move. That simple .

I has asthma and haven't been able to enjoy the beach due to all the smoking. This isn't right.

Not blowing smoke in someone's face doesn't mean they are not breathing it in. This is a very small beach and people are smoking everywhere. Why can't people go to the grassy area and smoke there? Why should people with asthma or lung cancer or children have to be assaulted by toxic chemicals just because someone is addicted to cigarettes?

Do you "have" or "had" asthma? My mom "has" asthma too. So I know how you can feel but please do a spell check when your communicating with the public. Again the bird poop?? That is toxic also. I just dont go if bothers me. Air is public space you cant take that away. Again I dont feel blowing it in someones face is acceptable EVER. But if it harms you ask them/me to move nicely and explain or you can just move its real simple! Its a BEACH its not that small of an area like you say.

Air is not really public if it is in a confined area, such as the beach. There is only ONE public beach. It would be different if it was one of two beaches..one for smokers and one for non smokers but that isn't the case...so smokers are infringing on the health of non smokers. Never mind the children who are forced to breath in second hand smoke, their parents not caring that they are harming their children. Shame on you for doing that..and you know who you are.

This person does not speak for the majority of the people and there is no button to supoport the opposition of her petition.

Help resolve this with a comment, image or video...Why

I am reopening this issue because it has NOT been resolved. They just made Stella's Station stop all that disgusting smoking..took a few years but justice has been done. Let's have the same at the beach. One faction of the population doesn't have a right to kill the other faction. Smoke in your cars if you must!

I agree that smoking shouldnt have been allowed at stellas considering you cant smoke at restaurants and its located in the center or town. However, the beach and dining facilities are completely different. People have a right to smoke and shouldnt be forced to hide in their cars because of that. I sympathize with your asthsma condition but unless your also handicap and unable to use your legs to walk over to your beloved smoke free park paradise located 30 feet away, than I think you should stop making a fuss about something so easily avoidable. Or possibly step AWAY from the smoker that your perched up on at the beach.

People need to stop polluting other people with toxic smoke...children and the elderly are not supposed to all move at the only beach in town because some addicts have to have their fix. Addicts should be the ones to move to another spot.

If you back your point up to include all public beaches nation wide than I would reconsider my veiw on the situation. Nothing you have said so far justifies banning smoking from a beach so good luck getting this passed...

And just for public to know..... I'm not a smoker. I do not like the smell of smoke. I do however, stand up for peoples right to smoke.

People can smoke..but not in other people's faces and lungs. Do you have any idea the damage that smoke does? Start researching...the smoke is killing people who breath it in..not just the people smoking. It should not be allowed when there is one, small, very crowded beach with no where else to go. It is a public beach and should be kept healthy. There are small children with delicate lungs. People with cancer. Seniors who have trouble breathing. People with allergies, asthma. Why should they be assaulted by those who can't go without a cigarette for a few hours? They are the ones that should go someplace else to smoke. It's just the right thing to do.

Please tell me one person you personally know that died or was harmed by second hand smoke? You have been watching way to much government propaganda instead of seeing things with your own eyes. Yes smoke is harmful, and people who smoke a pack day have a HUGE risk of dying from lung canser, they know that. The park was made no smoking because the town didnt expect most 40 year ols to go spend their day swinging from swings and hanging on the monkey bars. The park area is for kids with "delicate lungs", hence the big sign for no smoking. The beach is PUBLIC OPEN space where people have been and should always be ALLOWED to smoke at. The right thing to do is to give people the choice to do as they please. Assaulting you would be chasing you around blowing smoke in your face the entire time your at the beach, and honostly after hearing your stand on the situation, I would think thats hysterical. Like I said, use those legs that your blessed to have an GO IN THE WATER... I guarentee the smoke wont follow you out there...Or move away from the smoker. Around 20% of Americans smoke. That leaves you 80% of the beach on a bad day full of smokers. Stop being selfish!

Hello there!

I want to thank you guys for using our site to report issues in your community. There seems to be a lot of interest in this particular issue. While we definitely encourage dialogue among users, we think it's important to emphasize constructive conversation that focuses on the identification, prioritization, and ultimate resolution of issues. Comments that are personal attacks may be subject to removal in the future. Let's move the conversation forward and brainstorm some possible solutions to this issue in a respectful manner!

Keep SeeClickFixing!

I think that one of the problems is that smokers don't want to move away to smoke and have come up with scientific data bashing to defend themselves. Smokers are always going to do that so it's up to the health dept to protect the public, just like they did this week at Stellas Station. It's up to the Village to do the right thing. There are facts backing up second hand smoke dangers..including harming children. If there is no smoking in the park area for the sake of health, then the same should hold true for the beach where there are children and seniors with lung problems. If people have to move to get away from smoke and many people are smoking, then you may as well not go to the beach at all. Perhaps the answer is to designate a smoking area, far away from where the wind can carry the smoke..with a tin to hold the butts and maybe a bench to sit on. I think that is providing a generous solution. Maybe behind the building? Smokers don't realize how sickening the smell is and the smoke is to breath in for a non smoker or someone with asthma or allergies. It's not like there is only one smoker that youc an move away from..there are many smokers and so one has no where to escape to except to go home. A smoker can move away from the sandy area when they need a cigarette. I can't think of any other solution except to provide a smoking area away from the beach where the fumes won't go. Any other ideas?

Im done commenting on this particular issue anyway. Im sorry for getting steamed up about this but I feel that this carries over to the broader spectrum of civil liberties that this person doesnt see. Good luck with your "campaign" against freedom... and mdalton89, can we PLEASE get a "keep it" button so people can get a better idea of the communities oppinion on future cases like this?!

What is a keep it button?

This has nothing to do with civil liberties. It has to do with consideration, empathy and being a good neighbor. No one is telling you not to smoke. We are asking that you smoke where others won't have to breath it in and get sick from it. We want to enjoy the beach without having an asthma attack. Fresh air is what we want. That is a civil liberty. Breathing in your smoke is not.

I hate to think of segregation in public places but it seems that its the only logical choice. Considering the park is already non smoking, we could put up that smoking section on the far side by the dock with a bench and butt holder that you mentioned. It would allow most of the beach to be smoke free while keeping it clean from all the packaging filters that people just hide in the sand... Like I said before, I also hate the smell and hazards of cigerette smoke but people should have the right to smoke under the sun and enjoy the weather instead of hiding away like a leper.

I don't think that the smoking section should be on the beach...the wind if in the wrong direction can carry all the smoke right across the beach and defeat the entire purpose. Why not put it behind the utility building. That way it will be somewhat blocked by the building and also be a distance from the beach. Children also hang out in that area, also defeating the purpose of isolating the smoke. Is there a way to put something behind the building or closer to the parking lot and not on the beach itself?

There is no opportunity to show that people like something the way it is and dont think there is a need to "fix it". Thats why I think there should be a "vote to keep" option next to the "vote to fix" option. You are saying not to smoke lol. Im saying that your overreacting about about the harm from that smoke. I lifeguarded down at that beach for many years and NEVER once felt I was suffocating from all these horrible smokers as you describe. Once in awhile I did get that smell but the wind simple carried it away along with new fresh clean air.... Nobody is giving you shotguns or forcing you to inhale smoke. You dont like the smell. And that gives you the perfect opportunity to tell your kids "That smell is the smell of chemicals and death. Look at the dirtbags over there smoking. Do you want to end up like them?!" Without opportunities like that your kids will most likely try a cigerette in their lifes and who knows, maybe they'll even become smokers themselves.

You act like the smoke lingers along the the beach like fog. It goes a foot and is carried UP and AWAY from anybody near it. Behind the shed and lifeguard area IS the park where its prohibited. Your onto something with the smoking section but obveously theres gotta be some give and take action. What you propose is still banning smoking from the beach so no, I dont agree with you at all.

Exactly!

The statement from the life guard is exactly that I am talking about. A young healthy guy who has no idea what asthma feels like or COPD or allergies...only what things feel like to him. This culture is so selfish and unable to have any empathy for others. There is nothing wrong with asking a smoker to smoke in a designated area where the smoke won't effect others. Period. For them to protest about that is selfish and forcing others who are effected to have to stop using the beach. That is not neighborly. The beach is for everyone, including those not able to tolerate cigarette smoke. I have a good mind to report this situation to the AWD because COPD and Asthma are handicaps. I'm sure that others would join me. Let's just work things out, without the federal govt becoming involved please. Have a heart for others...and by the way, cigarette smoke causes heart attacks in case some didn't know that.

What does the town think about this?

If the park is no smoking why should the beach be? Has anyone figured that one out?

What I mean in my haste...was..if the park is no smoking...why shouldn't the beach be the same? What makes the beach different than the park? There are children and people with health problems. If a person with cancer breaths in smoke it could mean a great deal in their recovery progress. People who are not acquainted with facts of science and health don't understand that just a wee bit of smoke constricts the arteries and can trigger an asthma attack. Smoking should be banned from the park and beach and people who smoke...well..figure it out. Harsh sounding I know but it's really tiring to keep hearing excuses for one faction causing health problems for others. Smoke in your car, take a little walk on the road, smoke in front of the carosel, there are so many options..people lounging on the beach have only one option..suffer or don't go swimming anymore. I can't tell you how many times I had to go home rather than breath in smoke and have an asthma attack.

LMAO! I have an idea then...If you have all these problems with air, people, athsma, smoke, allergies, etc, how about we make a special section for you or a plastic bubble so you can stay perfectly safe away from all contact with the outside? Or how about you just stay in your car because there are WAY to many dangers in the world that can harm you. If you dont like the world outside including the little smoke that it includes, then become a recluse or go live in a cave.... I take back the cave, there may be toxins in there so we would have to get that sanctioned or make a special spot in there as well for you...

I am going to do a walk around at the beach and see where there might be a smoking area that wouldn't effect people sitting on the beach, even if the wind is blowing towards the beach. For those who smoke, please realize that even a wiff of it can trigger health problems in people, like an asthma attack. People can die from asthma attacks so this is truly a serious issue.

I think you are a out of control!

Anon AWD really? Out of Control.

lol if you dont get your way or the accepted way the law sees it, how far are you willing to go or who are you going to call after the AWD? You say Im not sympathetic but I truly am. The town continues, as it should, in helping to make it convenient for everyone even people with disabilities to feel comfortable, able, and FREE to do whatever they please. Thats why they banned it from the restaurant setting and the park for the kids and "their delicate lungs". Your just trying to get YOUR way with everything and thats not how it should be. 80% of people dont smoke so lets make that illegal to do on the beach. Lets keep that mindset. Not even 9% of people have asthma. Get out of the smokers area!

I do smoke & have commented on this before. I have a HUGE compasion for Anons view if you read older blogs about this you ll see where I stand , but Concerned THANK YOU so much for your support as a non smoker there dosent seam to be enough of people with your compasion (again as a non smoker) Thanks!!!!!!!!!! I would Never blow my disgusting smoke towards any one any age, including a smoker it is rude. PS anon still able to smoke respectfully at Stellas! I can attest to this.

Thanks Barb... I thought I was fighting for a hopeless cause for a moment. I think everyone has compassion and sympathy for people with asthma or other disabilities and I couldnt imagine one person purposely blowing smoke in someones face, especially if they voiced a concern about it or if the person knew they had a medical condition. Ive watched my mother smoke my entire life and the site along with the smell was convincing enough for me not to ever pick one up. This is about free choice and the right people have to be able to smoke where they please. There are ALREADY designated places prohibiting smoking or like I previously mentioned, go for a swim, your at the beach! Smoke it down Barb and enjoy the awesome weather during summer!.... I keep hearing its very enjoyable down at the beach so I would start there ; )

Beach enjoyable ?? Stellas maybe LOL . Kidding. And no really thank you!!! Smoking it down (funny) in Saugerties..... Serious note Im trying to quit (cause I dont like it either but compasionte to others) Chantex is helping ALOT have not completely succedded but its a process... and a very good product! i know tmi I have faith though ... and compasion for all.... Later THANKS !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

This is a definite heated issue. The only compromise is to give smokers a designated area to smoke away from the beach area so that the smoke doesn't get inhaled by non smokers. That way smokers can still smoke and non smokers don' t have to. NO ONE should be objecting to this compromise. Where to put that smoking area is the only issue remaining.

This is called a compromise.

What do you mean that people can still smoke at Stellas?

No compromise needed then. Your the one not compromising so good luck getting that passed. Im done trying to meet you half way. Your wrong and its an obveous waste of time trying to make you see that. You think nobody should object because your one of the few 8.6% benefiting from your proposal! Look at it from a basic world wide stand point and not through your asthmatic eyes. That smoking area is called outside... away from the non smoking park designated for you.

Barb.... Congrads on the healthy lifestyle change and I really hope you can continue along that path. Baby steps and every cigerette you can ween away from has to help. My Aunt had tremendous succes with hypnotism and has been smoke free for over 2 years now but it all boils down to your mind and believing in the approach your taking. I hope you continue to fight for smoking and personal freedom long after you put your last butt to rest = )

Self-explanatory!

Concerned your a trooper thats what these people do try to wear you down and only see it their way it seems. I gave up too a long time ago with crusaders like anon, and just do my thing but the things that come out of peoples "mouth" seam ignorante and seem rude. I get these updates and have to chime in once in a while. Cant belive someone still thrives on this with nothing better to do.. I belive there will and should be somewhere in the middle we all can be happy with. We will see Im sure.

Compramise that is..

I hope you can get all the way and quit smoking. You may not be able to tolerate smoke after you have stopped for awhile. Many ex smokers are hyper sensitive for some reason.

There needs to be a solution to the beach issue because if the authorities come in there won't be a compromise..it will just be no smoking like in the park area. Isn't it better to compromise now?

I don't think that anyone here can decide on this one way or the other..this is for expressing concerns. That's all. This is not a legal forum, just concerned citizens. Some people have gotten real nasty on this forum. I think those were removed, thankfully. This is not a forum for attacking another person either, in case you weren't aware of that. There is a movement to keep smoking out of public parks and beaches. I personally think that tabacco is a toxic drug and should be classified along with heroine...many agree. It's only because of the money and greed of the tabacco companies that it is still legal. How many homes have burned down and killed/maimed people due to falling asleep while smoking. Check those statistics..it's way up there at the top of the list. How many lives have been lost due to cancer from smoking? How many children have to have allergies and asthma because their parents don't have enough love to take their lazy butts out the door for that cigarette? How many times are children trapped in a car filled with cancer causing smoke? It's really disgusting. More and more apartment buildings are becoming smoke free. Kudos to them! The more peopel like me rally for no smoking zones the sooner those who smoke will benefit, even though they don't realize it yet.

Good luck stopping smoking!

Your hopeless and I'm not arguing with you for another week. If something stupid like that gets passed I guarentee I will be the 1st down there smoking a cigerette AND I also guarentee that I will bring over 100 people from FB or other online community sites to sit, smoke, and protest this absurd nonsense. How many followers do you have Anon.....really start thinking from the majorities point of view instead of your own because we have WAY more important things to do than sit and smoke on the beach all day. If governments can topple because of online followings than what makes you think we cant overturn a stupid ruling in a small rural town? See you at the beach ; )

At this point smoke away. Almost all house fires are caused by smoking. Most childhood asthma is caused by breathing in cigarette smoke. Smoke Smoke Smoke and get sick sick sick and make others sick sick sick and then ask the lord to let you in. Nasty nasty nasty - spiteful spiteful spiteful. ignorant ignorant ignorant. Too much smoke must have gotten to your gray matter!

Village Board of Trustees passed a resolution on April 18th to make beach and other Village playgrounds "tobacoo-free zones" which will be posted with signs from Tobacco Free Action Coalition of Ulster County.

Its not the 1st time that an injustice has been passed at Saugerties and it sure wont be the last but at least there are smart people out there that know there rights and as long as there are than smoking will continue at the beach and wherever is appropriate to do so, law or no law.... Maybe we can bum a few cigs from Saugerties finest Sgt. John Scheffel. I've heard hes been stocking up. This town is rediculous. Nowonder its dying and nobody wants to move here, just look at the people running it into the ground between the board, the taxes, antique shops, school budget, dirty cops, etc.... see you at the beach everyone. I'll be the one puffing so I should be easy to spot ; )

I agree. Stop the smoking on such a tiny beach where there is no room to escape. There are children with asthma, adults with asthma...and smoking causes terrible diseases. It's important for smokers to take responsibility for their smoke going into other people's bodies. Please walk away and smoke or go into your car and smoke there. Thank you.

Patrick,

What does this mean? Did the town board pass a no smoking ordinance at the beach?

The Village (not Town) Board passed a resolution (not ordinance) to designate as tobacco-free zones the Lion's Club Playground and Pool, the sand beach swimming area, playground area and restroom facilities at Village Beach, and the playground area at Seamon Park. Signage will be posted designating the tobacco-free zones. Free signs are provided by Tobacco Free Action Coalition of Ulster County.

I definitely want to get some signs to replace the ones you just know the smokers will be stealing. Next stop, Malden boat basin and park. They moved all the tables so close together that you don't have any choice anymore to even get away from smokers if you want to sit at a picnic table. It's really disgusting. Greg Helsmortel smokes so it's going to be a tough roe to hoe getting this done.

What is the difference between a resolution and ordinance?

Your sitting in front of a computer....google it.

An ordinance is a local law that can be enforced while a resolution is a non-binding statement of purpose or intent. The designation of tobacco-free zones around playgrounds is meant to be self-enforcing. Most people will read the posted signs and be considerate by not smoking in the vicinity of the playground for the sake of the children who play there. This approach has been successful in other communities. It requires a certain amount of neighborliness and respect.

Thank you for the explanation which I do appreciate. Does this mean that if people are defiantly blowing smoke on the beach that the police are not able to do anything about it? The reason I ask is that even in this discussion, people are promising to smoke up a storm just to be spiteful, at the beach.

Thank you for the explanation which I do appreciate. Does this mean that if people are defiantly blowing smoke on the beach that the police are not able to do anything about it? The reason I ask is that even in this discussion, people are promising to smoke up a storm just to be spiteful, at the beach.

Thank you for the explanation which I do appreciate. Does this mean that if people are defiantly blowing smoke on the beach that the police are not able to do anything about it? The reason I ask is that even in this discussion, people are promising to smoke up a storm just to be spiteful, at the beach.

Thank you for the explanation which I do appreciate. Does this mean that if people are defiantly blowing smoke on the beach that the police are not able to do anything about it? The reason I ask is that even in this discussion, people are promising to smoke up a storm just to be spiteful, at the beach.

Thank you for the explanation which I do appreciate. Does this mean that if people are defiantly blowing smoke on the beach that the police are not able to do anything about it? The reason I ask is that even in this discussion, people are promising to smoke up a storm just to be spiteful, at the beach.

From what I gather, the Village Board wanted to start with a resolution to see if it was effective. If the problem persists and people ignore the signs, the Village Board has the option of passing an ordinance with penalties for violators. Hopefully, people will respect the signs and recognize that smoking at public playgrounds is frowned upon.

Thanks. I hope you are right. It's good to start out with a positive attitude.

Thanks. I hope you are right. It's good to start out with a positive attitude.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/06/14/new-york-mercatus-center-least-free-state_n_876616.html?icid=maing-grid7%7Caim%7Cdl1%7Csec1_lnk3%7C70681 .......... congratulations, its people like you that are ruining this country by taking away American freedoms. BTW, saw a group smoking in front of a cop down there over the weekend so at least now I know there is ONE decent cop who supports obvious civil rights.

Smoking up one's own house and yard is not a right anyone is trying to take away. However when it comes to poisoning my kid on public property, especially at parks meant for children, our right to not be assauled by your poison superceeds your "right" to smoke in our faces. Find a worthy cause, yours is lame.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/06/14/new-york-mercatus-center-least-free-state_n_876616.html?icid=maing-grid7%7Caim%7Cdl1%7Csec1_lnk3%7C70681 .......... congratulations, its people like you that are ruining this country by taking away American freedoms. BTW, saw a group smoking in front of a cop down there over the weekend so at least now I know there is ONE decent cop who supports obvious civil rights.

.The way the police are being arrested around here I wouldn't call a cop that stands by and supports crime, decent!

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/06/14/new-york-mercatus-center-least-free-state_n_876616.html?icid=maing-grid7%7Caim%7Cdl1%7Csec1_lnk3%7C70681 ..........

They are talking about high taxes, medical marijuana and gay rights - not some drug addicts smoking on the beach in front of some cop that doesn't serve and protect as is stated in his contract paid for by YOUR taxes. Which cop was it?
.

Those great american freedoms to die for: smoking anyplace you want, using as much water as you want to flush whatever you want and the right to choose your lightbulb: that's really hot lately.
The one that's not tested very much, it appears, is the freedom to actually think.

I haven't been to the beach yet. I hope that there is no smoking now.

freedom of people rights , what smoke wherever you want ,what about the rights of freedom of the nonsmokers...... signs , good money, taxpayers money goes for and not even looked at , the youth and way of this world i wouldnt want to live in today as a teenager or young adult , i lived in a time when you listened and were respectful of everything, parents, playgrounds, littering, you name it ... come on america and hudson valley do something.. this clix fix just publishes this stuff what actually do they do

Smoke all you want to all winter, that's half the year or more and then let those non smokers take over for the summer. Split the difference. That way you can get your lung cancer, COPD, asthma, cancer and the rest of us are safe until summer. Just pick up your butts!

You're right, that is exactly what your generation did, sat there and accepted what was given to you without thinking whatsoever and allowed this country to fall into the shape its currently in. The system is failing and I'm glad I'm surrounded by young individuals who think outside the box and constantly challenge the "typical" system.....may just have to start OCCUPYING the beach ; )

Occupying the Beach? Are you serious. You obviously don't understand what is going on and what the Occupy movement is all about. If anything, Occupy is against corporations getting young people to start smoking in the first place. Why should cigarettes which are more addictive than Heroin, be allowed to be sold in the first place? GREED! That is what Occupy is about. Get your facts straight before you Occupy something totally worthless in the grand scheme! And, if your young friends who are so hip don't start occupying in ernest, there won't be much of a world left to smoke in.

No Breathe Easy, I wasn't serious but thanks for giving everyone the background into the 99% movement... It's hard to tackle multiple issues so I think smoking on the beach or occupying anyplace in this town wouldn't be a priority while bigger things such as the occupation in the City or Albany are happening... I would like to see you push the no-smoking issue at an actual occupation and see what response you get.

How about now?

Why was this closed? There is still smoking at the beach and I saw a big lump of dog crap there also last week.