06/18/1980 Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

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barriers. There is the poss'ibility this could be very costly. He also feels there is a possibility of lawsuits. In his opinion, the majority of private businesses would be against a proposal of this e kind and when the initiative, if it makes it to the general ballot, is before the voters, then it will be obvious what the majority of the citizens want. He feels this should have waited until after the November election. Bob Hasson, 2625 West 10th Place, is a non-smoker who believes smokers have rights too. He indicated that it has not been shown that second- hand smoke is detrimental. Smokers are basically courteous, and in most situations where the two are together there is self-policing already. He noted that even some businesses which are owned by people whose religions do not allow smoking still allow smoking in their establishments because that is the wish of their customers and that is where they receive their income. Arthur Wick, 1170 Highway 99N, stated he feels it is fine that the council does not allow smoking in the Council Chamber, but in his business he feels he should be the one to determine whether smoking should or should not be allowed. He is involved with a bowling alley that has 45,000 tons of air conditioning which provides a clean air flow. He feels this idea should be forgotten. Business owners have the right to make their own decisions. James Jennings, 888 West 2nd Avenue, stated agreement with Mr. Wick. He said the business owner is most directly affected and feels the worst part of this proposal is that it would be unenforceable as an e ordinance. He does not feel it would be cost-effective and suggested that perhaps having a City policy for City-owned buildings would be all right. The council would be acting within their jurisdiction, but not to carry it over "into private industry. He feels the State initiative measure petition that is being circulated, if on the . November election, will be a better indication of what people want. If there are not enough signatures to have it placed on the ballot, then obviously that will indicate what the people want. He noted that more than half of the signatures that have been collected have come from Eugene rather than from other areas of the state since the drive has been centered in Eugene. He feels that they will not collect enough signatures to have it placed on the ballot. He feels this is another instance where government's involvement in private industry creates problems. He stated this is an idealist piece of consumerism but it ;s impractical. If the people want this, it will be accomplished through the State initiative. Eugene's money does not need to be spent in this way. Jack Jennings, 888 West 2nd Avenue, is a non-smoker but smoking doesn't create a problem for him. He is concerned that in the last few years there has been a general disregard of various kinds of laws. He sees no need to pass more laws that are going to be unenforceable and which would breed disrespect of the law. e 6/18/80--6