We do not appear to be any closer to a resolution of the smoking ban issue. The following story appeared in this week's Herald.
We do not appear to be any closer to a resolution of the smoking ban issue. The following story appeared in this week's Herald.
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By Brendan O'Brien
Staff Writer
Posted: Nov. 17, 2006SHOREWOOD - A committee of village trustees is squarely stuck in the middle of whether Shorewood is ready for a smoking ban in all of its public places, including bars and restaurants.
After the latest listening session with the public held at the beginning of the month to garner viewpoints on the subject, the Community and Business Development subcommittee of the Village Board vowed that it will devote a meeting to the topic.
"Committee members agreed that we would have a working meeting outside of things to determine where we stand," committee Chairman Michael Phinney said during a board meeting Nov. 6.
On one side of the debate stand tavern and restaurant owners who argue that any prohibition would unduly hurt their business and create an island for their businesses.
On the other side stand residents and advocates, who say that secondhand smoke is an unnecessary danger to the public.
"The committee itself is still really conflicted about this issue because we do think that it is overly intrusive on a small number of the businesses," said Phinney, who added the committee will take another look at the framework of the proposed ordinance and could consider gently phasing in smoking restrictions over a couple of years.
The latest installment of the pubic debate occurred Nov. 1 where about 60 people on both sides of the issue listened to each other's argument.
It was the second such listening session held during the last year on the issue.
"What continues to be disappointing to us is we don't really think that we have a sense of the larger community and how firmly do they believe (in this issue)," Phinney said.
Trustee Margaret Hickey called for a board vote on the ordinance that would ban smoking in public places in Shorewood. "This may be an issue that we bring to the full board and have an up or down vote on it," she said. "We have the education; we had the two listening sessions. There comes a point in time that we are going to have to consider it."
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Comments"I hope Shorewood and all the surrounding suburbs pass the smoking ban. The border drinking joints of Milwaukee will benefit. This is not Paris; thank God, but working blue collar adultâ€(tm)s capable of making our own decisions and don't appreciate these "come and go" activists that don't care about other people's revenue."
- Future Milwaukee Bar Owner, 11/18/06
