In slightly less than two minutes Tuesday, the Vanderburgh County Commissioners quietly and unanimously took action that some say is merely the calm before the storm.
Two days before a public hearing that is expected to attract a standing-room-only crowd to debate the hot button issue of proposed smoking bans in Evansville and Vanderburgh County, the commissioners voted unanimously to approve a nonsmoking ordinance that they say will apply countywide.
The 3-0 vote by Commissioners Tom Shetler Jr., Cheryl Musgrave and Bill Nix comes eight days after the City Council voted to introduce a nearly identical ordinance for consideration. It will ban smoking in most city businesses and workplaces.
Shetler, a leading proponent of a ban in the county, said the commissioners will consider their ordinance on second and third readings in mid- or late June, after holding the joint public hearings and making any changes deemed necessary.
The second hearing is set for 6 p.m. May 23 at the Vanderburgh County 4-H Center.
Thursday's joint public hearing, the first of at least two, will begin at 5 p.m. in Room 301 of the Civic Center and is expected to last two hours.
Johnny Kincaid, director of the grant program Smoke-free Communities, said he expects a "huge" crowd.
"There have been some discussions about how to handle overflow, because the room is kind of limited," Kincaid said. "We're anticipating that there will probably be a lot of people out in the hallway (outside Room 301) as well.
"I think it's going to be a huge turnout."
Mike Young, co-owner of St. Joe Inn in the county and organizer of an opposition group, also predicted a large turnout.
"We'll have at least a dozen or two dozen tavern and private restaurant owners there," Young said. "I hope 500 people come out in opposition."
All three of the County Commissioners have publicly expressed support for a smoking ban in county businesses and workplaces - but the city's effort is less certain.
"It's really close; that's no secret," said City Councilman Steve Bagbey, a leader in the smoking ban campaign.
Bagbey and Kincaid each said the swing vote appears to belong to Councilman Jeff Kniese, a Republican who says he has rejected numerous overtures to run for mayor in 2007.
Kincaid confirmed a report that supporters of the proposed city smoking ban will canvass Kniese's ward on Saturday morning, leaving door hangers and urging Kniese's constituents to ask him to vote for the ban.
Kniese said he welcomes the involvement of activists on both sides and has urged them to keep open minds about the impact of a smoking ban on businesses other than restaurants.
"Thursday's public hearing is going to be a very good first step for discussion of the proposed ordinance, and I think a lot of discussion has to take place to clarify the ordinance," he said. "You might see one or two more forums after the ones that are already scheduled."
Musgrave said there are several options for citizens who want to be heard on the smoking ban issue.
"If you are interested in having your comments be part of the public record, you must come to one of those two meetings or submit something in writing (by e-mail or postal mail)," she said.
In related action, the County Commissioners also signed a city-county joint proclamation asking residents to reduce air polluting emissions when possible and recognizing the efforts of those who seek to improve air quality for public health purposes.
The proclamation, already signed by Mayor Jonathan Weinzapfel, declares this week Air Quality Awareness Week.