By Thomas Bona, Truth Staff
Elkhart and Goshen are the first out of the pack to discuss a countywide smoking ban.
Their mayors say they'd back some sort of a ban if there's enough public support. Other officials in the county say they'll wait to see how that turns out.
"It may be time for us to raise the standard of air quality for citizens and employees," Elkhart Mayor Dave Miller said Tuesday. "That reflects a change in my earlier position. ... I was a free-market thinker saying let the business choose who they want to serve, but that is not (a choice) easily made by their employees."
Elkhart County officials told Miller and Goshen Mayor Allan Kauffman they'd consider a ban if the cities approved resolutions in favor.
Mike Yoder, Elkhart County commissioner, said he'd do that reluctantly. "We've got a ton of issues to work on this year and it could be a distraction. ... I've had one constituent call and she was an elderly lady and she wanted us to ban smoking at the VFW so she can play cards."
Miller and Kauffman said Tuesday they're working on resolutions to bring to their city councils.
"There's a growing number of people talking about it in Goshen," Kauffman told the Goshen City Council. "There needs to be a groundswell of support for it. I'm not willing to be the lightning rod."
Several council members encouraged him to bring a resolution. They all agreed there should be a countywide ban rather than individual city bans.
But council member Bill Bloss, R-at large, cautioned, "I think we need to do this very softly. Don't get the county involved."
He said fewer and fewer places allow smoking anyway, so businesses are doing a good job policing themselves.
Resident Dave Puro, himself a smoker, said he's probably support a ban but he's not sure there's a need.
"Is it the government's job to ban smoking?" he said. "There's a big problem with obesity. ... (Should government) say, 'You weigh too much for your size and you can't eat at McDonald's?'"
Earlier Tuesday, Nappanee Mayor Larry Thompson said he'll talk to Elkhart and Goshen officials; if they pass resolutions, Nappanee might too. He said he's personally undecided on the issue.