The City of Centralia on Tuesday officially proclaimed its support for the Centralia Middle School Prevention Club’s efforts to address the problem of smoking, vaping and drug use in city parks near youths.
The club first visited the Centralia City Council on April 23 to ask the councilors to clarify their position on smoking and vaping in parks and near children, and the council expressed interest in a collaboration.
On Tuesday, Mayor Kelly Smith Johnston presented a proclamation to six student members of the club in which she cited the city’s municipal code that prohibits smoking in various locations, including within 100 feet of park playgrounds, within picnic shelters or within public buildings.
“Therefore, I, Kelly Smith Johnston, mayor of the City of Centralia, on behalf of the city council, I know we’re all proud of this one, do hereby proclaim the city’s support of the Centralia Middle School Prevention Club’s efforts in community education, including placement of signs in city-owned parks discouraging smoking, vaping and use of other drugs when in presence of the youth,” Smith Johnston read.
The city parks department will help the club implement its idea to install signs around parks that read “Keep our kids healthy. Please refrain from smoking and vaping. Centralia’s youth, our future.” Members of the club suggested placing the signs around the fence surrounding Fort Borst Park and some on the trails.
Amy Buckler, deputy city manager, praised the students for their ideas and shared some of the parks department’s ideas for sign placement, including the playground at Fort Borst Park, the playground at Rotary Riverside Park, the playground at Logan Park, the splash pad, the skate park, the Centralia Timberland Library, Wheeler Field and the softball complex, and Seminary Hill.
“You guys are going to be making a big impact across our parks department reminding people to not smoke. Thank you,” Buckler said.
Councilor Max Vogt commended the students for their efforts in bringing the matter to the council’s attention and asking for action.
“I’m very impressed with you guys. I relate to you because when I was in high school, I was very involved in things and was president of my class. You are future leaders,” he said. “You’ve already begun, and I know you’re going to be. Stay involved because you are already leaders. It’s going to be with you the rest of your life, what you’ve done here.”
Deputy Mayor Chris Brewer commented that the campaign may lead to people quitting smoking and vaping altogether.
“You’d be really shocked to see how many people react positively … saying it’s about the kids is going to have a very, very big impact. They’ll think about kids before they’ll think about themselves,” Brewer said. “(Putting signs by) the trails is a brilliant idea because you’re already promoting healthy lifestyles by having the trails there and maybe giving somebody the motivation to take that first step toward a healthier lifestyle. It might even get them to quit using tobacco products, as well.”
Smith Johnston highlighted that the students’ efforts are a prime example of how to create change.
“You came to us with a problem and an actionable solution that we could implement, and that’s really one of the keys to creating change. It wasn’t just some big idea that we couldn’t take action on, and I really appreciate that,” she said.
