We have to provide some decent shelter for them. Debbie Gibson, who supervises Marlinga's office, has smoked for 30 years. While she knows smoking is her choice, she thinks building a heated shelter for the smokers is a good idea. She's heard of hospitals and even grocery stores that provide shelters where their employees can light up for a couple of minutes while on their breaks. No smoking signs are now posted throughout the administration building, marking its smoke-free status.
Buckets stand near at least two entrances for cigarette butts.
The problem, said Commissioner Nicki Brandenburg, is that smoke still blows inside the building when people open the doors. Rather than build a separate area for smokers, as Marlinga has proposed, Brandenburg thinks the current areas could just be reconfigured to correct the smoke problem and possibly supply some heat. Either way, Commissioner Mike Sessa said something needs to be done. Sessa, the only commissioner who openly smokes, said he's complained for years about people having to stand in all kinds of weather outside to smoke. Even before Marlinga's letter, Sessa said he approached the county's building maintenance and facilities director about fitting aluminum buildings with heating devices.