Gretna City Council could decide fate on amendment banning sports from street play

The fate of a proposal to ban playing sports on Gretna streets could be decided Wednesday night at the first meeting of the new City Council. The measure, proposed by former City Councilman Vincent Cox III in May at the request of a constituent, would prohibit any act that obstructs the street, including "the playing of football, baseball, basketball, soccer, volleyball, tennis, dodge ball or any game or sport that uses a racquet, club, stick, ball or projectile on city streets.''

The council was set to vote on the measure in June. But Police Chief Arthur Lawson requested a deferral, expressing concern about its enforcement on juveniles.

Since then, Cox has retired and a new council was seated July 1, after the spring municipal elections. Mark Miller was elected to Cox's former seat. Miller could not be reached Tuesday.

The amendment might be withdrawn or rejected by the council altogether, according to some officials, who point out that the existing ordinance governing obstruction of streets already covers activities that block roadways and pose a threat to public safety.

The council meets Wednesday at 5:30 p.m. at City Hall, Second Street and Huey P. Long Avenue.

Source: http://www.nola.com/politics/index.ssf/2013/07/gretna_city_council_could_deci.html

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