RA Votes To Install 'No Smoking' Signs

voted on Monday to install "No Smoking" signs at 122 common areas, including tot lots, soccer fields, garden plots and tennis courts.

The move to remind residents of RA's ban on smoking was proposed by North Point director Mike Collins.

The signs will cost $41 each, totalling around $5,000. RA CEO Milton Matthews says the cost will come out of the 2011 budget, not the 2012 budget that was passed last month.

Signs are already in place at Reston's pools and community buildings.

Collins said he wants the signs to be there to remind peple "we have a policy."

Hunters Woods/Dogwood director Cheryl Beamer says in tough economic times, $5,000 could be better spent elsewhere.

"Times are tough," she said. "That is $5,000 we could give to building batting cages or IPAR. It could go in a whole different direction than signage. This has an element of self rightousness.  We don't have a problem with people smoking at our facilities. "

Beamer added it seemed excessive to  "react with $5,000 expenditure because we have one small, vocal group that has blitzed us with information."
 
At-large director Tom Vis said without someone there to enforce the rule, "I don't know what signs will accomplish."

"There isn't a monitor there," he said. "We know it is  a regulation. I don't know if a sign makes it a better regulation."
 
The motion was passed 5 votes to 4.