DEXTER, MO (KFVS)- It's an issue that has split many areas of the country. Should smoking be allowed in public places? The city of Dexter Board of Alderman discussed the issue in a recent meeting.
"Approximately 55 to 60 percent are smokers and that seems to be growing all the time," Robert Lay, owner of The Grill said.
Lay says he's allowed smoking since opening almost five years ago.
"We definitely are not going to alienate over half of our business on this," Lay said.
Lay says as May 1, his business is going to expand into the building next to his restaurant. That side will be strictly for non-smokers.
It's a different story for Dexter Parks and Recreation director Lawson Metcalf.
"The focus of the parks and rec department in Dexter for most part is sports programming," Metcalf said.
Metcalf says look at the numbers. He estimates about 1,500 kids play sports here. It's his job to keep them safe.
