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Smoking to be on ballot

By Jared Felkins
The Times-Journal

Published June 12, 2008

A series of questions regarding banning smoking in public places in Fort Payne is expected to be on the municipal election ballot on Aug. 26, according to City Clerk Jim McGee.

But the question remains as to what those questions will be. McGee said the Fort Payne City Council is expected to develop the questions at an upcoming meeting.

The council waited to take up the smoking ban in March because of a bill in the state Legislature that would have banned smoking in restaurants and work places across Alabama. The bill died in the House on the last meeting day of the 2008 regular session and was not taken up in a called special session that ended May 31.

McGee described the process as a list of questions on the ballot voters can answer on smoking. The council would then draft and vote on an ordinance based on the public response.

“It would test public sentiment through a non-binding referendum to test how people feel about smoking in public areas,” McGee said. “There will probably be a question like do you favor smoking in public places? It would be followed by a series of questions about where people would be allowed to smoke. There are a whole variety of options out there.”

McGee said the council would have to make a decision on what would appear on the ballot within the next two months.

“It’s going to have to be done sometime in the near future,” he said. “The ballots are normally done the last week of July.”

Councilman Andrew Hairston said the smoking issue should be on the council’s agenda soon.

“I think we need to go ahead and take care of it to get out there where people can make up their minds,” Hairston said. “I’m very interested in getting feedback from questions that would appear on the ballot and drafting an ordinance based on what the people say. Or if the people don’t want to ban smoking in public places, we do away with the issue all together. We intend to do the will of the people.

“I’m disappointed it is not on the agenda Tuesday, but we need to get it taken care of pretty quick.”

Qualifying for the municipal election starts July 1 and ends July 15 at 5 p.m. at City Hall. The cost is $50 to qualify to run for mayor or one of the five positions on the council.

Since the Fort Payne election is at-large, if 10 or fewer candidates qualify for either position, a runoff will not be needed. But if 11 or more qualify, the runoff will be Oct. 7.

So far, four of the five current councilmen – Walter Watson, Johnny Eberhart, Hairston and Richard Pridmore – have indicated they will seek re-election. Councilman Andy Parker has said he will not seek re-election.

Incumbent Bill Jordan and challenger Larry Chesser have indicated they will run for mayor.

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