American Lung Association objects to tobacco store lease

WASILLA — When you rent commercial space from the government, usually that means that your lease is subject for public debate.

Which is why the American Lung Association wound up speaking out against a lease in the Meta Rose Square the city of Wasilla decided Monday to give to a store called Big Daddy’s Tobacco. The Lung Association also leases space in Meta Rose.

“I am here to respectfully ask you to vote no,” Becky Stoppa with the lung association’s Wasilla office said. “Big Daddy’s Tobacco’s interest is in direct conflict with the American Lung Association’s interest.”

Also testifying Monday was Big Daddy’s Tobacco owner Anthony Giovanni.

“It’s a small, family owned, Christian business,” Giovanni said.

The shop is already operating out of a different commercial building in the city. He said he believes he has the largest humidor in the state outside of Anchorage. He focuses on cigars, loose tobacco and tobacco pipes. And, since his lease was debated the same night the city decided to pass an ordinance aimed at outlawing synthetic drugs like spice, he made a point of stating his stance on those intoxicants:

“We don’t sell Spice, nor will we ever sell anything to do with Spice. I’m personally against it. It took my brother-in-law about a year ago. It’s a nasty thing,” Giovanni said. “You won’t see it at our shop, never. No matter the gains.”

But, Stoppa pointed out, next door to the Lung Association is a comic book and gaming store catering to, among other clientele, young people who often flock to the store.

“We are not proposing a ban on all tobacco sales within city limits,” Stoppa said. “We are simply requesting that lease space in city buildings be reserved for businesses or organizations that reflect the values of our community, a community that makes the health and well being of youth and adults alike a top priority.”

But the city council didn’t seem to see much reason to say no to Giovanni. City councilman David Wilson asked city finance director Troy Tankersley if there was other interest in space in the building.

“We do have actually quite a large vacancy in the Meta Rose. However, there seems to be some interest popping now. I wouldn’t say it’s super hot or anything like that by any means, but we do have some more inquiry right now,” Tankersley said. “I have a couple that are potentials in other areas, not this particular space.”

City councilman Brandon Wall said he supported the lease but not the city’s ownership of the building.

“This, again, makes me wonder why we’re in the real estate business and approving leases,” he said. “We don’t have anything in the building saying what we will and will not lease to within reason. Unfortunately, I think we need to go ahead and approve this.”

That sentiment seemed to find traction on the council. The lease was approved 4-2.

Contact Andrew Wellner at 352-2270 or andrew.wellner@frontiersman.com.

Should the city of Wasilla lease space to a tobacco shop?

Clark Buswell: Yes

Leone Harris: Yes

Colleen Sullivan-Leonard: Yes

Gretchen O’Barr: Yes

Brandon Wall: Yes

David Wilson: No