Mayor Bart Cox opened the November meeting with an opening prayer and a pledge of allegiance to the flag of the United States of America.
After approval of the previous meeting of Oct. 8, and the approval of bills and warrants, time was given to Lorie Huntington of the Governors Youth Council.
Huntington then made a presentation about the dangers of the new smoke- less tobacco products being marketed to grade school and high school students. The items she displayed were about the size of a cell phone and looked like packages of candy, lip balm containers or lipstick containers. These products have all the ingredients of a cigarette, and are five times stronger and more addictive than cigarettes. The cigarette companies have found a loophole in the law and the government has not added any laws making it illegal to market these products to teenagers and younger students. Although the tobacco companies will deny their target is youth, these products appeal to the youth because of their packaging.
Huntington provided information. Some of the new tobacco products being tested have as much as three times the nicotine as the average cigarette, putting children at risk for tobacco related poisonings.
A 1-year old who weighs about 23 pounds could suffer severe toxicity or death if they ate 10-17 Camel Orbs, or 17 strips, or three to four sticks according to information provided by the Utah Department of Health. A 4-year old who weighs about 35 pounds would have to eat 12-27 orbs, or 27 strips or five sticks. High concentrations of nicotine in these products make them a serious health threat to young children.
Last year alone the Utah Poison Control Center took 102 tobacco poisoning calls, 88 of which were for children age 4 or younger, according to Marty Malheiro, the Center’s coordinator of outreach education. These tobacco cases included chewing tobacco, cigarettes, cigars, filter tips, snuff and unknown tobacco products.
All of these dangerous products can be purchased at the local stores in Carbon and Emery counties. Huntington said, “We all need to be aware of them and the effects of what they are doing to the youth in our area. The tobacco companies are targeting our youth and this is just a new way to do so. The hotline number for quitting is 888-567-8788. The lines are open Monday through Sunday from 6 a.m.-1 a.m.,” said Huntington.
In other business the City Council passed a resolution establishing an Identity Theft Policy in compliance with recent federal and state legislation they also passed a resolution establishing policies and procedures guidelines for new accounts, security deposits and returned checks.
The Orangeville City Council passed two resolutions authorizing the issuance of Taxable Lease Revenue Bonds of not more than $180,000 for the purpose of acquiring, constructing, installing skate park improvements and related matters.
A public hearing will be held on Dec. 10, concerning the issuance of the $180,000 in bonds for the Orangeville Skate Park.
Councilman James Davis has interviewed several skate park contractors and has developed a skate park layout and design using prefabricated skate park ramps on a large concrete slab. The exact location of the skate park has not yet been determined by the City Council.
The City Council also approved an outside of the city water and hook-up for Jim Fielder. This water hook up will cost Fielder about $2,000 and one water share.
Jacob Tuttle gave a report on the activities of the Youth City Council and Mayor Bart Cox appointed Carmen Humphrey as the advisor to the Youth City Council.
Orangeville City’s community Christmas chili/soup cookoff will be held on Dec. 5. Sign-ups for the chili/soup cook-off will be at the city hall. Sign up on or before Dec. 4. Chili and soups will be accepted from 3-3:45 p.m. on Dec. 5 at the Community Center. Bring at least one gallon, they will be served at the dinner portion of the Community’s Christmas Party. The judging will be at 4 p.m. at the old Fire Station/Community Center. Childrens crafts from 4-5 p.m. at the City Hall. From 5-7 p.m. the chili and soup dinner will be served. Orangeville officials encourage all to sign up for the chili/soup cook-off.
Orangeville council learns about new tobacco
"The new tobacco products are made to look like candy and gum packages and many of them are the size of cell phones (front.) The tobacco products contain harmful amounts of nicotine in high dosages."