Air let out of balloon ban proposal

[The Straight Story]

Air let out of balloon ban proposal


LUBBOCK, TX (KCBD) - The Lubbock City Council's balloon debate is over, but the outcome is a little different than expected.

One council member told NewsChannel 11 he planned to change his vote on the second reading of an ordinance that would ban organized balloon releases in the City of Lubbock. Councilman Todd Klein says he now plans to vote against the ordinance.

This change is enough to let the air out of the balloon ban. "Fact of the matter is, when you turn loose of that string in a balloon release, there's somebody else's litter," said Lubbock City Councilman Paul Beane at a council meeting last week.

Beane proposed the ordinance to ban mass balloon releases in the City citing litter problems, and the danger the deflated balloons pose to animals. Opponents of the measure said the council should not waste time on balloons when they have a budget to work out. "I thought it was ridiculous," said Councilwoman Linda DeLeon.

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