Palmer declines to go smoke-free

PALMER — An attempt to turn the last few remaining businesses to allow indoor smoking to go smoke free failed at the city council Tuesday night.

In a 4-3 vote, the council declined to pass the ordinance, which would have most profoundly impacted the handful of city watering holes that still allow smoking.

“I do support a smoke-free environment,” said city councilman Brad Hanson, “I do also support a level playing field.”

Hanson was eventually in the “no” column on the vote, saying he didn’t feel the issue was one best decided on a local level. The state should go smoke-free, he said, rather than having municipalities do it piecemeal and thereby force local businesses to compete with businesses in neighboring communities where smoking is still allowed.

“I concur. I’m a big supporter of encouraging businesses to go smoke-free,” said councilman Richard Best, before adding that, “because of our proximity to other bars in the other areas, I think that this would be detrimental to bars in our area.”

Councilman Ken Erbey said that he saw a need for a state law to outlaw indoor smoking in businesses as a reason to vote for the ordinance rather than against it. He said such a vote would send a message to the state regarding where Palmer stands on the issue.

Mayor DeLena Johnson who, according to the rules in Palmer, gets to vote on each issue just like a council member, tried earlier in the meeting to put the issue on the October 2012 ballot.

“I believe everyone should have a right to vote on this,” she said. “I don’t think it’s good for the council to have to make this decision around the council table.”

She said she disagreed with Best and Hanson regarding a need for the state to step in.

“I like that our form of government allows us to take on decisions like this,” Johnson said.

As for how she voted, Johnson explained it was a tough decision. Singling out the owner of Palmer Bar, Mary Lou Coddington.

“Mary Lou, to me, is someone that I look up to,” Johnson said, and making a decision that could potentially impact her business was not something she didn’t enjoy doing.

But, Johnson said, she also has a mother who died of lung cancer.

“I spent 14 years of my life taking care of my mom,” Johnson said.

Right up until the very end, Johnson said, her son, who was 12 at the time, would wheel his grandmother outside for a smoke.

“In honor of my mom I’ll be making a vote in favor of a smoke free Palmer. Because I couldn’t vote any other way,” Johnson said.

The eventual vote was Erbey, Johnson and Kathrine Vanover in favor with Hanson, Best, Edna DeVries and Linda Combs opposed.

Becky Stoppa with Breath Free Mat-Su, a coalition advocating smoke-free businesses, which, among other things, publishes a guide for smoke-free dining, attended all of the meetings to discuss the ordinance.

She said she couldn’t express an opinion in favor or opposed to the ordinance. Despite the council’s decision, she said, the work of the coalition continues.

“Breath Free Mat-Su will continue to advocate for smoke-free air because we know it’s important for public health,” she said.

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