Daily Reporter
Don’t look for Greenfield’s no-smoking ordinance to be changed before it takes effect March 1.
Mayor Rodney Fleming said an alternative ordinance being pushed by a coalition of business people is not being sponsored by any member of the Greenfield City Council, so the matter likely is dead for now.
Councilman Kelly McClarnon, whose vote against the ordinance in October made him a potential sponsor of the new one, said a new ordinance was a long shot.
“I would say the chances of America winning a gold medal in curling are better than this ordinance being repealed before it takes effect,” he said, comparing the obscure winter Olympic sport and the American team, which is considered a long shot to win.
That doesn’t mean, however, that the Business Coalition for Citizens Rights has given up on the idea of changing the law. Its version of the smoking ordinance would allow businesses to decide whether they want smoking areas.
The ordinance that was approved 5-2 in October effectively bans smoking in nearly all public places in Greenfield, including restaurants and workplaces. It does exempt bars and private clubs.
“I’m very disappointed,” said John Munden, president of the Business Coalition for Citizens’ rights. “If you look at (the ordinance) logically, the one we’ve proposed is much more fair.”
Noting the exemptions, Munden pointed out that the new law doesn’t protect everyone from secondhand smoke.
“I’m tired of the council saying it’s a health issue or a workers’ rights issue,” he said. “If that’s true, why are they exempting” some entities?”
He also said that the lack of response from anyone on the council has made his group more determined than ever to fight the law. He said members have discussed possible legal action, but no decisions have been made.
Fleming has said the ordinance as passed has withstood legal challenges elsewhere. On Friday, he said it deserves a chance because that’s what the public wants. He also said the council can always make changes later.
“A lot of people just want to wait and see how the ordinance works,” he said. “It seems fair.”