DEENA WINTER / Lincoln Journal Star | Posted: Monday, March 28, 2005 6:00 pm
Nearly four months into the smoking ban, the issue is still being debated on downtown sidewalks, at restaurant tables and during city council meetings. In November, Lincoln voters approved a ban on smoking in bars and restaurants. The ban has been fully enforced since Jan. 1, but the debate didn't end when the votes were in. The ban continues to be a popular subject for letters to the editor and during the open microphone session of city council meetings.
Business owners complain that the ban is hurting sales, and the city has experienced a drop in keno revenue since the ban began. The Journal Star asked the 20 city council candidates whether they would support, modify or repeal the ban, if elected, since the council has the power to amend or repeal the ban.
Here are their answers:
Rob Burns, 44, owner of Wasabi restaurant:
Minimize government involvement. Maintain ordinance as is for now, but review the actual impact on businesses, productivity, sales tax revenue, keno revenues, etc., within six months.
Frank Delgado, 53, retired:
Modify ordinance. This ordinance is extreme legislation which interferes with personal liberties, property rights and is detrimental to small business. This legislation is not fair and equitable due to exceptions provided.
Stan Dinges, 64, owner of Neighbors Lounge:
I was in favor of the original proposal that was dumped overnight by the council after months of citizen input. If it were to be brought up before the council that I was a member of, I would have to listen to both sides of the issue as well as any facts that may now be available to make an intelligent decision on modification or not.
Robin Eschliman, 40, business site selector:
The citizens of Lincoln overwhelmingly voted to enact the smoking ban. As we go forward, I believe that the city needs to carefully weigh intervention in business. Will each proposed intervention drive families and customers away from our city, or will it make us more competitive and appealing compared to other cities?
Mike Floyd, 53, counselor:
The people have spoken, and I am pleased. We did the right thing to protect the common welfare.
Richard Hedrick, 77, retired:
Smoking should be regulated by free enterprise. The trouble is the free enterprise system is the figment of someone's imagination. There are people who do not understand the Constitution. I have heard these people explain that 51 percent of the people want no smoking so therefore no smoking should be mandated.
Trent Hellbusch, 41, owner T&R Garden:
The last election showed that almost 70 percent of the population supports a smoking ban. However, I would be open to discussion with the citizens' input. The City Council handled the whole issue very unprofessionally.
Bob Ihrig, 53, sports pub owner:
No, I would not and do not support the local smoking ban because local business owners are taking the financial loss from a problem that is national in scope. I would take an active role to attack this problem at its root by encouraging the federal government to ban nicotine as an illegal substance.
Randall James, 41, unemployed, semi-retired:
The city smoking ban should be modified as to bars without kitchens or a compromise to a percentage of food sold.
Jane Kinsey, 70, clinical social worker:
I support the present smoking ban as it is good sense for the good health of our citizens. The citizens voted for it and their will must prevail. It is a present trend all over the country so our city is not out of line. If businesses are being hurt, I would ask them to seek creative solutions to their problem from businesses in cities with similar laws.
Mark Koller, 53, president of human resources management consulting firm:
The smoking ban was voted upon by the citizens of Lincoln and I feel that they have spoken as to how the ban should be handled. I would support the ban as voted upon by the citizens of Lincoln.
Dan Marvin, 45, investment adviser and president of Marvin Investment Management Co.:
As is. In November the voters passed a constitutional amendment to limit the Legislature's ability to overturn a vote of the people. I think this sends a strong message that when people vote it should be respected and not overturned by the City Council.
Edward Price, 48, pastor of All Nations Church of the Lord Jesus Christ:
I believe the people of Lincoln have clearly stated their views on the smoking ban and I as a council member sincerely respect their decisions, although I am not opposed to communicating with business owners who have been affected financially by the ban.
Ken Svoboda, 49, co-owner, Ray's Lawn & Home Care:
As a board of health and City Council member, I supported the total workplace smoking ordinance from its inception. It was difficult following our June vote to accept the petitions that forced the issue back to the council and ultimately to the ballot. It took only a couple of days to recognize that this was a snapshot of democracy at its finest. The people of Lincoln have spoken and I would not alter the ordinance.
Charles "Tom" Thomas, 42, general laborer (construction):
I would cancel it. I am a non-smoker but it is taking the rights of business owners away, eroding the tax base by sending business outside of the city limits. It has directly or indirectly closed businesses already. Besides, the ballot last November was very misleading.
Dan Thompson, 22, family support worker and member of Air National Guard:
The beautiful thing about this country is that it is a democracy. Lincoln partook in a decision that was done the most democratic way possible, and that was to let voters decide on the smoking ban. For seven people to modify or cancel an ordinance that was passed by the whole voting population is wrong no matter what the ordinance is. If it needs modification, it must be done by the people that put it into law.
Shawn Traudt, 39, director of career services for Hamilton College:
My candidacy is not founded on any single issue or concern, but rather on the idea of bringing balance back to the City Council. Had I been on the council at the time, I would have supported the limited ban on smoking, which would ban smoking in all public buildings and businesses except those bars and taverns that do not serve food or only on a very limited scale. Property owners' rights must be protected.
Bob Warkow, 57, plumbing contractor:
Modify. It is my belief that we have put a financial burden on the bar and restaurant owners by forcing them to add on outdoor smoking areas to accommodate their customers. Waverly and Denton keno are packed with former Lincoln customers. Where is the revenue going?
Terry Werner, 49, owner, Nebraska Discount Travel:
I have supported and will continue to support the smoking ban. It is a significant step forward in protecting employees and citizens against the damaging impacts of secondhand smoke. An independent air quality study showed that employees in the hospitality industry in Lancaster County are dying from the effects of secondhand smoke. However, I do support providing outdoor seating areas for establishments that cannot qualify to provide an outdoor dining area.
Roger Yant Sr., 58, owner, Blue Moon Dating Service; editor and publisher, Buy Lincoln Magazine:
I would vote to modify it. I believe we should put it back on the ballot to read, "Repeal the smoking ban for bars only, ie: Heidelbergs, Brewsky's, Big John's, Randy's and all bars in Lincoln." Let the people vote on this by itself and keep the wording simple for people to understand.
What's coming:
* Primary election: Tuesday, April 5
* General election: May 3
Continuing coverage on what City Council candidates think about the issues:
Today: The smoking ban
Friday: Development.
On the primary ballot: A field of 20 City Council candidates for at-large seats will be narrowed to six during the April 5 primary election and to three during the May 3 general election. Seven candidates will vie for Lincoln Board of Education seats in four districts. Three candidates have filed in District 3. Two candidates will compete in District 5 and incumbents are the only candidates in districts 1 and 7.
Extended hours for absentee voting for city primary election
The Lancaster County Election Commission will be open extended hours for absentee voting for Tuesday's Lincoln City Primary Election.
The Election Office, 601 N. 46th St., will be open the following times:
* Today : 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
* Wednesday: 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
* Thursday: 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
* Friday: 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
* Saturday: 9 to 11 a.m.
* Monday: 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Anyone having any questions regarding absentee voting should call the Election Office at 441-7311.