Anti-smoking council math, and how it may (or may not) have changed.

In summer of 2008, after refusing to act in the waning months of the 2003-2007 term, New Albany's city council voted in favor of an ordinance that would have banned smoking in almost all enclosed public places, including bars and restaurants. If memory serves, exceptions for owner-operated clubs and tobacco stores were allowed.

In favor: Coffey, Caesar, McLaughlin, Gahan, Gonder

Opposed: Price, Benedetti, Messer and Zurschmiede

As you can see, in 2008, the ordinance was passed, 5-4. It is not in effect today because it was "vetoed" by Mayor England. Six votes are required to overturn a veto, and so England's decision has stood. The council might have returned to the ordinance and softened it, but did not.

After last evening's election, and of course assuming that returning council members would vote the same if asked today, it's now 4-2 in favor, with three new voters (Phipps, Blair and Baird) on board.

Unlike 2008, it is now likely that the vote of only one of these three is required to carry the measure, which almost surely is destined for reintroduction once a new council is seated in 2012. Here's the rub: With the pro-ban Gahan now serving as mayor, six votes no longer are necessary to ensure a veto-proof majority. There'll be no veto. Five will do, although proponents will aim for a higher margin just the same.

Between the dates of May 30, 2008 and September 5, 2008, the search terms "smoking ordinance" appear 32 times at NAC. There were dozens of comments posted, and things got unusually heated. As an example, just this one should do: Anger management? No, thanks. I’ve had all the placid acceptance I can stomach.

On second thought ... maybe I shouldn't have read that one again.