Washington: Rick Talbert

There are already signs up in some parks asking people not to smoke.

But they're only in a few locations, including the Point Defiance Zoo and Aquarium and Northwest Trek, the wildlife park near Eatonville. And they're voluntary requests, lacking the force of law.

Now officials from Metro Parks and the Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department are asking Tacoma city officials for an outright ban on smoking in all Metro Parks and city parks.

Nancy Davis, Metro Parks' governmental relations officer, and George Hermosillo, prevention specialist for the health department, met Thursday with the city's Public Safety, Human Services and Education Committee to make their pitch.

Beckie Summers-Kirby has announced she will run this fall for the District 5 seat on the Tacoma City Council currently held by Councilwoman Connie Ladenburg.

Ladenburg is barred by term limits from running again.

Summers-Kirby, 52, has served on several public board and commissions, including the Tacoma Public Library Board of Trustees, the Tacoma Human Rights Commission, the Tacoma Civil Service Board, and the Pierce County Charter Review Commission. She also served as vice chair of the Pierce County Democratic Central Committee and is currently chairwoman of the 29th District Democrats.

Summers-Kirby ran for District 4 seat on the Tacoma City Council in 2001, and lost to Rick Talbert, who is leaving the council at the end of the year after serving two terms.