Wednesday, September 03, 2008

Smoking law - go away!/Come back another day/We have so much work to do/Not that we ever knew …

Dick Kaukas’s C-J coverage of yesterday’s veto of the city council's smoking ban ordinance paints by the numbers, but he contributes a handful of largely unintended but fascinating observations from council members: New Albany's smoking-ban ordinance vetoed. Noting Mayor England’s pledge to sign legislation that incorporates his three proposed exemptions, Kaukas writes:

The nine-member council could override the veto if a two-thirds majority -- at least six members -- vote to do so. But no members have indicated a willingness to change their votes, and the council could decide to let the veto stand.

It would appear that unless the council has a sixth vote in favor of the smoking ordinance, and accordingly, votes unanimously on Thursday night to suspend its rules and tack a veto overturn vote onto the evening’s agenda, the ordinance is dead. It might be reintroduced verbatim in the future, or in revised form according to the mayor’s wishes.

The only sure thing to me is that the future of New Albany's smoking ordinance will be plotted according to the internal political calculations of council president Jeff Gahan and his ally of the moment, Dan Coffey, who'll viciously turn on Gahan at the drop of a hat when it become politically expedient for him to do so.

C'mon, people: Did you really think any of this was ever about workplace safety? The petty political machinations are mind-numbing, though not unexpected. Accordingly, reporter Kaukas performs a commendable journalistic service with these framed quotes from three council members:

Councilman Bob Caesar, who sponsored the ordinance, said yesterday that he believes that the council needs to address other issues and that "I will not bring it up again” ...

... After England left, Councilman Dan Coffey, who had voted for the smoking ban, and (Councilwoman Diane) Benedetti each made statements.

Coffey accused England of "playing politics," adding that the mayor never provided his views when council members who were working on the ordinance asked for his input.

Benedetti said she and other council members had hoped the mayor's decision to veto or sign the measure would settle the issue.

"We do not want it back on our plate," she said. "We have too many other things to do."

Simply bretahtaking, isn't it? The obvious question for citizens of New Albany to ask Caesar and Benedetti (who, in fairness, voted against the ordinance):

If you’re cognizant of all these “other things to do", then why has so much of the council's time been wasted on the smoking ordinance?

The obvious question for the perpetually conniving Coffey, for whom intricate political maneuvering comes as naturally as greenhouse gas from a coal-fired power plant:

Are you the pot, or the kettle? Or both?

11 comments:

Jeff Gillenwater said...

As long as we live in a community where being right is disappointing, workers will never be safe anyway.

Randy said...

I don't believe a suspension of the rules would be necessary since a mayor's veto message implicitly places it on the agenda.

That does not mean the council will take up an override - just that it is de facto on the agenda.

Unknown said...

So much time wasted and so much to do certainly sums it all up, maybe we should plant some flowers up and down market street, or install ashtrays and park benches for all us bad people that fuel this economy downtown.

G Coyle said...

Whew, it's over, let's get down to business now...the pool is closed!

Anonymous said...

If this was truly just a workplace safety issue, why isn't OSHA involved?

Maybe the answer is in the question!!

Christopher D said...

Health Blogger:
According to councilman Coffey, this has nothing to do with OSHA, and he wouldnt trust them for anything, its the EPA who regulates this kind of thing...

ecology warrior said...

Gahan showed his true colors in the Tribune today, a hothead, sore loser and manipulative politician.

I would love to see him run for mayor just to watch him lose

William Lang said...

I recall the FDA has no power to regulate tobacco, even though it is a drug and it's really bad for you. I don't know the history of that, but I'm sure it's because the tobacco companies and their supporters in Congress wanted it that way. So it wouldn't surprise me if the EPA lacks authority to deal with environmental tobacco smoke, for similar reasons.

edward parish said...

I have remained some what silent on the NA smoking ban, only touching base with RAB. My work place went smoke free years ago. That is all buildings owned by then CINergy now Duke Energy. Our vehicles are supposed to be, but that is not monitored at all.

Without sounding pretentious, what is the bing deal? For those of us who go to Louisville for dinner or entertainment, it is nice to not have to be bothered by smoke. Why not try an get that in place in an area where you all are trying to be a progressive thinking community? It is a plus.

Granted the way that the smoking ban was written was somewhat like Louisville Metro had theirs to begin with, but had to change it for legal reasons. Just make it law; no smoking in a public place.

Why is that so hard?

Yes, everyone has their own opinion, but isn't it better for what is trying to be done in this community to "Clean Up New Albany"?

This is all my own opinion....Thanks - an ex-smoker

Bayernfan said...

I guess the point would be that if a business owner was truly concerned about getting the anti-smoking crowd into their establishment, they would make their business smoke free entirely. As it is, their business may be doing just fine and they don't want to be told how to do things.

Tommy2x4 said...

..."same as it ever was."
-David Byrne