The Forum

I dug up the response I sent to Dawn Anderson in response to her note about the smoking ban:

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Subject: Smoking Ban Comment
From: Steve Koczela
To: Dawn Anderson
CC: Margaret Hickey
Date: 11/21/06<

Trustee Anderson -

Thank you for your comment on my blog. I will be posting it tonight, to allow for other people to comment.

I am not arguing with the process. I actually am impressed with the process, and the amount of time the Board/Village have spent thinking about this issue. I have attended a large number of meetings concerning the smoking ban, dating back quite a ways. I actually believe there should be a smoking ban, a position which I have stated publicly, both verbally and in my campaign materials. I am not opposing taking a vote as a way to oppose the smoking ban. Instead, I believe we should wait until we have a stronger consensus on one side or the other of this issue before bringing it to a vote.

The Village does not appear to be united on one side or the other of this issue. Given this fact, I see no reason why the board has to take action on this issue, thereby prompting the disappointment of one side or the other.

I recognize that, if you do not take a vote, those pushing for a ban will be disappointed. However, people of my point of view (supporters of the ban), need to recognize that this is not a "win-at-all-costs" battle we are fighting. If we push and push, and get a ban in place, prompting a backlash of bitterness and resentment, what have we accomplished? Instead, we need to work deliberately, creating consensus before taking action.

We are a small Village, filled with friendly neighbors and people of good will. I believe our government should reflect this characteristic, and avoid taking premature action on this issue so certain to cause resentment and division.

Best Wishes,
Steve Koczela

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Trustee Anderson sent me the following response:

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Subject: Re: Smoking Ban Comment
From: Trustee Dawn Anderson
To: Steve Koczela
Date: 11/21/06

Thanks for your response and comments Steve - and I agree on many of them. And thanks for posting my comments. dawn
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Comments

1. "As you probably have already noted from the cigar-smoking smiley in my signature, I'm a smoker! I agree that some form of regulation needs to be in place for the good of those who wish to not be subjected to unhealthy smoke. I make a conscious effort to keep my smoke away from others; I also abore having to smell smoke when I'm dining! While present attempts at 'non-smoking sections' in establishments are akin to having 'non-peeing sections' in a swimming pool, an outright ban on all smoking would certainly be a hardship on some local businesses. While I can't disagree in it's merits, a ban would discriminate against a portion of customers.

Your comment that a rushed vote would cause resentment and division is certainly true.

Do I have a great idea to solve this stalemate?? ....nope! Maybe later in the day!

RE: Dawn Anderson's reply to your comments. Her response shows how quickly she's assumed the 'politician mode; "Thanks...I agree on 'many'(nothing specific) of them...thanks again...seeya later" On the other hand, it's reassuring to see a village trustee express an opinion w/o once using the word 'disingenuous'!"
- Jim Genthe, 11/24/06

2. Just something for Shorewood to ponder when passing the ban. Hector's on State St. has been am asset in Tosa for over 17yrs. Since the revenue in food exceeds alcohol consumption, he was forced into no smoking. Well get this, the kitchen closes every night at 8:oopm and thus, bar patrons from that time on only. He can't get an exemption and his night business is gone. How did he get around it? He opened a new place in Bay View, I hope for the sake of good Mexican food he doesn't close the Tosa location. I am a smoker and I back the no smoking ban in restaurants, not bars or taverns. By the way, Hector's was non smoking in the dinning room for years.
- Tom, Village Voice, WauwatosaNOW.com, 11/28/06