ALAMOSA — During its May 16th meeting the Alamosa city council issued a proclamation recognizing the Boys and Girls Clubs of the San Luis Valley’s campus smoke and tobacco free policy.

Club Director Aaron Miltenberger said the youth at the club took this action to make their campus safer. They had noticed there a large number of tobacco butts littered near the club, and they decided to do something about it. He commended the youth for their initiative.

Alamosa Councilor Liz Thomas Hensley said this was a great example for all youth to follow.

The entire city council commended the club members for making their campus tobacco free.

Following is the proclamation:

RECOGNIZING THE BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB OF THE SAN LUIS VALLEY

CAMPUS SMOKE AND TOBACCO FREE POLICY

WHEREAS, the San Luis Valley, Boys and Girls Club is committed to providing a healthy, safe and clean environment for students, staff, faculty, and visitors; and

WHEREAS, young children roam and play on the campus and campus cleanups becomes hazardous, and

WHEREAS, research continues to show that the use of cigarettes, cigars, pipes, smokeless tobacco and other tobacco products, as well as exposure to second hand smoke, leads to disease and premature death for smokers and non-smokers alike; and

WHEREAS, Boys and Girls Clubs across America are helping to raise awareness of secondhand smoke danger and eliminating exposure; and

Now therefore, the City of Alamosa celebrates with the youth of the Boys and Girls Club of the San Luis Valley campus its designation as a tobacco and drug free environment.

Now Therefore, I, Ty Coleman, on behalf of the City of Alamosa and the citizens, honor the Boys and Girls Club of the San Luis Valley for their smoke and tobacco free policy and their commitment to the health and well-being of students, faculty and visitors on campus.

Caption: The Alamosa city council presents a proclamation recognizing the Boys and Girls Clubs’ smoke free campus to club members, board and staff during the city’s May 16th meeting. Front row from left are Alamosa City Councilman David Broyles, club members Zach Sullivan, Adrian Raya, Carlos Gonzales, Joy Mejia, Adrienne Cordova, Cynthia Mejia and Angelo Lucero, Councilman Charles Griego and Alamosa Mayor Ty Coleman. From left in back are Boys and Girls Clubs Board President Dave Mize, Alamosa City Councilors Liz Thomas Hensley and Michael Carson, Club Director Aaron Miltenberger, Councilor Jan Vigil, club member Zane Sullivan and Club Staffer Madeleine Ahlborn./Courier photo by Ruth Heide