CLARKSVILLE, TN (CLARKSVILLE NOW) – After weeks of debating an ordinance to require new distance limits for smoke shops in Clarksville, the City Council passed the proposal 9-3 Thursday night.

During the City Council’s executive session meeting last week, several members of the council said they support of the proposed new distance limits for smoke shops from schools, parks and churches. However, a couple of council members questioned how effective the measure would be given the number of convenience stores selling the same products, and if the proposal could be considered government overreach.

| PREVIOUSLY: City Council debates new distance limits for smoke shops in Clarksville

At Thursday’s meeting, Councilman Tim Chandler reaffirmed his stance that it’s government overreach. Councilwoman Keri Lovato said she shared the same perspective.

“There’s been a lot of talk kids, students and protecting them. As someone with four children, I think I’m more than qualified to say that I don’t want the government to ever help me co-parent when it comes to conversations about alcohol and smoking.

“I’m more than capable, and I know other parents are as well. … We shouldn’t be using our kids as the fallback, and it feels like what we’re doing here,” Lovato said.

Councilwoman Wanda Smith said she understands where both sides are coming from, but she believes the City of Clarksville has to start somewhere when it comes to making sure children are safe and smoke shops are not too close to schools.

Councilman Eric Claunch said he’s personally experienced underage persons going in “time and time again” buying vapes at smoke shops. “There’s a store very close to where I live that is lit up like a Christmas tree with neon lights, designed to attract our youth,” he said. “We’re not saying you can’t have them. We don’t want them near our schools; we don’t want them near our youth.”

The City Council went on to approve the first reading 9-3 with Chandler, Lovato and Jerry Haywood voting against. Councilman Carlos Peters was absent. The second reading take place during next month’s regular session meeting.

City Council approves $800,000 for sidewalk project

The City Council also unanimously approved the first reading of an $800,000 grant the city received for the Jordan Road sidewalk project; however, the project will need to be completed in less than a year, according to previous reports.

Street Department Director David Smith told the council that with the grant secured, they can continue the project in northwest Clarksville that the city had already spent $100,000 toward.

Smith said the project was initiated after the 2023 tornado, and it’s been a work in progress over the last two years.

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