By JANUARY WETZEL, Tribune
After months of public discussion and debate, Seymour Common Council passed an ordinance Monday regulating smoking.
The vote was 5-2 with councilmen Bob Beatty and Dexter Steele voting no. “I made up my mind early on,” Beatty said.
“I don’t feel this is a public health issue,” he added. “It is a private health issue. Everyone here has the same good intentions, but I think we can achieve the same ends by working together instead of against some.”
The ordinance, which would ban smoking from public places and places of employment, still faces a second vote on May 22.
Nearly 25 people voiced their opinions on the matter Monday night, with more speaking in favor of the ordinance than against. Each person had two minutes to speak.
Connie Stockhover, owner of The Townhouse restaurant on East Fourth Street, spoke of how she thought the ban would affect her business.
“I have 11 employees and we all smoke. Many of our customers smoke,” Stockhover said. “No one has ever fell over dead yet. By passing this ordinance you are picking on a handful of people.”
Stockhover suggested that council members pass an ordinance that require businesses to post their smoking policy on their doors instead of banning smoking entirely.
“I have no problem with telling people and letting them make their own decision whether to come in or not,” she said.
Lifelong Seymour resident and smoker Shade Shutters said he had a problem with the ordinance banning smoking in restaurants but allowing it in private clubs and bars.
“What dictates a private club?” he asked. “Places like the Elks and the American Legion are open to the public for lunch. You are taking away our liberties a little at a time.”
Councilwoman Mary Voss, who has led the debate over the past six months, said the ordinance defines a private club as a place that requires membership, is owned by an association and has not-for-profit status.
“I have gone back and forth on this issue since we first started talking about it,” Voss said. “At first I was against it, then I was for it. My father died of cancer. My husband died of cancer. And now I have been diagnosed with cancer. And that is why I’m going to vote for it.”
Christina Hauersperger, like Voss, is a non-smoker who said she has suffered from asthma and pneumonia since she was a child as a result of second hand smoke.
“I had breast cancer and it went to my lungs and my skin,” she said. “Even though I’m not a smoker I have smokers lungs because of second hand smoke. This is definitely a health issue.”
Councilman Mike Jordan said he voted for the ordinance because he thought it was the right thing to do.
“The voters put me here to do the best for Seymour and I believe this is the best thing for our city,” Jordan said. “I have seen the effects of smoking and I think this will make our community a better place to live.”
The ordinance will carry a $50 fine for violations.