[img]1792|right|Jim Clarke||no_popup[/img]At next Monday's 7 o’clock meeting, the City Council expects to pass a formerly controversial ordinance that only several years ago would have provoked mass anger from the community.
Everyone on the dais will be surprised if there is more than a whimper of resistance when they unanimously approve a smoking ban in apartments and assorted other buildings with multiple living units.
This is a signal victory, and it will stand as a golden triumph for Mayor Meghan Sahli-Wells, leader of the most progressive faction on the City Council.
Times have not just changed. They are standing on their head.
Why is the Council moving on this? “Public health,” says Councilman Jim Clarke. “We have an obligation to protect the public health of individuals.
“There is an issue with smoke that goes why should somebody else have to breathe your smoke?”
Is there any doubt in Mr. Clarke’s mind the ordinance may infringe on individual privacy?
“There is always a balance,” he said. “You have to weigh. There always is a tradeoff on these kinds of issues. Does the benefit outweigh the inconvenience or the cost to it?”
What is the next smoking step the Council will seek to take beyond what it is proposing this evening?
“I don’t think there is a next step,” Mr. Clarke said, “This is it.”
Not long ago, it would have been inarguable that a city government would have sought to forbid persons from smoking out of public view, in their own homes.
Civil rights groups would have risen loudly.
The best drama, however, will be after tonight. Enforcement, the Council has determined, will be private, meaning neighbor will be tattling on neighbor. That should spark a hefty boost in community relations.
