BERRIEN COUNTY TOBACCO REDUCTION COALITION

March Meeting Minutes 3/10/08

 

Present:   Becky Wyre, Vita Polasek, Brandis Belt, Kerri Teachout, Paul Olmstead, Terri Karnes, Bret Hendrie, Laura Marschke-Lesher, Theresa Green, Kathleen Hernandez, Shannon Larry-Burton, Sally Smith

 

I.                    Meeting called to order by Paul Olmstead at 12:15pm.

II.                 Motion to approve agenda by Paul Olmstead, Kerri 2nd.

III.               Approval of Minutes, motion by Theresa Greene.  Kerri 2nd.  

IV.              Reports 

a.       Website is www.bctrc.org.  Recent article by Paul in Benton Spirit newspaper. 

b.      State grant requirements

                                                   i.      State objective: Mobilize a smoke-free taskforce to identify restaurants that allow smoking and educate them on the benefits of going smoke-free

1.      Goal of the taskforce:

a.       Determine which restaurants allow smoking

b.      Restaurant list divided among members *

c.       Call the restaurant, identify yourself as member of coalition, ask for owner or manager.

d.      Notify them this is a survey for state, ask 3 questions, get name, and contact number.

e.       Document comments, positive or negative.

                                                                                                                           i.      Survey 600 restaurants (script available) by phone

                                                                                                                         ii.      Complete questionnaire after talking with manager

f.        Provide information re: benefits, fears of lost sales, etc.

2.      Teens to honor smoke-free restaurant (TATU project in Niles and Lakeshore High Schools)

c.       Smoking cessation: 

                                                   i.      Prenatal contacts needed.  Contacts needed. 

                                                 ii.      Current/pending classes

d.      Berrien County Clean Indoor Air Regulation Update

                                                   i.      Theresa – Initial violation notices went to two locations.  Both have paid fines ($100) and cases are closed.  2nd warning will be $500.  New violation for bingo hall pending. 

e.       Legislative updates (TABLED)

 

V.                 Other

a.       Grant updates

1.      TATU – New billboards (6) going up during March/April in Berrien County, TV commercials will be aired, Midwest Broadcasting 2nd Hand Smoke (107.1) ads running. 

2.      Grant possibilities (TABLED)

b.      Review frequency and location of meetings

1.      Keep monthly schedule.

2.      Second Monday of the month.

 

 

* Restaurant list distributed as follows:

 

  • Terri– St. Joseph City & Township
  • Bret – City & Township of Niles, City & Township Buchanan
  • Brandis – Lake, Lincoln Township, Stevensville Village, Three Oaks Township
  • Becky/Shannon/Kerri – Benton Harbor City, Benton Township,
  • Kathleen- New Buffalo City
  • Vita – Eau Claire Village, Weesaw Township, Galien Village
  • Theresa– Royalton & Sodus Township
  • Laura – Three Oaks Village, water town, Coloma town and city
  • Sally– Oronoko Township, City of Bridgeman, Baroda Township, Berrien Township

 

 

NEXT MEETING: 

 

Monday, April 14 – 12:00pm at Schu’s, Downtown St. Joseph