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Last Updated: Wednesday, April 5, 2006 2:33 PM CDT
Smoking ban voted down
By Meredyth Albright - Editor
City voters reject proposal 987-789
Voters in the City of Rhinelander have sent a message that they don't want a smoking ban.
Voters were asked to respond to a referendum question asking if smoking should be prohibited in public places, including restaurants in the city.
City voters opposed the referendum on a 987-789 vote.
“This is a great day for City of Rhinelander voters who saw this as a rights issue, it's an expression of freedom of choice,” said Rob Swearingen of Be Fair.
“We are pleased with the results,” said Rachelle Ibarra, president of Be Fair.
“Our opponents said that the trend was to ban smoking and that voters would say there would be a ban. Obviously that was not so,” she said.
Bill Vancos, chairman of SAFE (Smoke-free Air For Everyone) said the group is disappointed with the outcome.
“It appears our grassroots effort was just outmatched by the opposition. It is difficult to win any election when your opponent has the resources to outspend you 2 to 1.” Vancos said.
The results of the advisory referendum will now go to the city's Protection of Persons and Property committee at its next meeting.
Committee chairman Doug Weight said “the next logical step is to put it on the agenda of our next regular meeting and review it at that time.
The Protection of Persons and Property committee will meet Monday, April 24.
Swearengen said Be Fair would be represented at that meeting.
Vancos said “a serious health issue ramins and we are still hopeful that the city council will do what is right to protect the welfare of the citizens and visitors by limiting exposure to second-hand smoke. We look forward to the day when Rhinelnader joins the hudnreds of other communities that have already taken steps to protect people's health with clean air.
Vancos said he did not know what the next step will be for SAFE's effort to ban smoking in public places.
Swearingen said the Be Fair group supports a state-wide effort to “level the playing field, so we don't have any islands.”
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