|
 Tibbs also presented copies of a letter sent to
her anonymously concerning smoking in local bars and no apparent
enforcement actions being taken. The letter said that one bar has
gone so far as to put ashtrays back out on the tables.
Tibbs queried the council if there was anything
that could be done.
Alderman Dean Henrichsmeyer said that he
recently read that a court in Illinois ruled the smoking ban is not
enforceable.
The supporting enforcement in the Illinois plan
was to hand the enforcement to health departments. That plan was
not complete yet when the law went into effect on Jan. 1, 2008.
Mayor Beth Davis-Kavelman pointed out that this
was another unfunded mandate handed down from the state. "We have
no tools," she said. "The health department is working on this. I've contacted
the governor's office. What are we going to do? This city
council has no ability to enforce this."
Tibbs said that she would have preferred to
have known who sent the letter so she could speak to them. "If you
are going to speak out, let us know who you are," she said. "We do care."
City attorney Bill Bates said, "We'll follow up
and see what we can do."
Four members of the council who were absent last week
were all back for this week's council session. The mayor said
that she, Marty Neitzel and Joni Tibbs were all on
their vacations. Alderman Dave Armbrust had a new grandchild and
was proudly sharing his pictures this week.
By JAN YOUNGQUIST]
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