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Central Point will vote on smoking Backers of repeal collect enough signatures By SARA MURPHY CENTRAL POINT -- It's official: Voters will decide the fate the city's controversial anti-smoking ordinance. The Jackson County clerk's office verified Tuesday that 823 of the city's voters signed petitions to take the ordinance to a public vote. The ordinance, adopted by the City Council in January, will be blocked until the Sept. 19 election. "I'm really happy that we had that many" verified signatures, said chief petitioner Larry Thornton. "It does kind of show you how the people are feeling right at this moment. I just hope they keep that feeling." Petitioners needed to gather 646 signatures from Central Point voters to place a referendum on the ballot that will allow residents to decide whether to keep or rescind the ordinance, which bans smoking in restaurants and most enclosed public spaces. The City Council adopted the ordinance on Jan. 27, prompting an outcry from some citizens who believe the council overstepped its bounds. "I'm a nonsmoker, but I didn't like the way it was done," says Central Point resident Edith Austin, a beautician. "Four or five people shouldn't decide something like that for everybody. I just think that was a little too much." Velton Lee, a broker at Central Point Realty, says he lives outside the city limits but doesn't agree with the council's decision. "If I go in a restaurant and the smoke offends me, I just won't go back," says Lee, who doesn't smoke. "I don't go along with government control; it doesn't go well with me at all." Mayor Bill Walton says the ordinance isn't about adults' rights, but about protecting children. "We're not after adults who smoke," Walton says. "There's a 95 percent chance they'll never stop. We're concerned for the children." Walton, who faces a recall election this month along with two council members, says he has no regrets about proposing the ordinance. "If we were to do it all over again, we would have done it the same way," he says, adding that the council anticipated the recall and referendum. "I have no doubt that, in September, (the ordinance) will pass overwhelmingly," Walton says. "The public is ready for it." Walton says a survey last summer by the Jackson County Health Department reports that 62 percent of Central Point residents said they would be "strongly in favor" of an ordinance to make all workplaces, including restaurants, completely smoke-free. Dawn Pendleton, owner of the Brite Spot Cafe, decided to make her restaurant nonsmoking three months ago, but says elected representatives have the right and responsibility to look out for the public well-being. "We passed the seat belt law to protect kids," she says. "Kids can't buy cigarettes, so why are we letting them smoke secondhand?" Many of Pendleton's customers say they go to the cafe because smoking is not allowed. And Thornton, who owns The Old Center Cafe, would say they have that right, but that he and his customers should have the right to decide whether to smoke in his cafe. Ultimately, Thornton says, he wants the citizens -- not the City Council -- to vote on the ordinance. "We may do some phone calls," he says. "We're not going to pressure anyone. We're just going to encourage them to vote, vote their conscience." In addition to banning smoking in restaurants, the ordinance also: Requires tobacco retailers to purchase an annual license from the city, at a cost of $10. Prohibits all self-service tobacco displays, except vending machines in taverns, cocktail lounges, industrial plants and motels. Allows the city to fine tobacco retailers or revoke their tobacco license if they violate the ordinance. Prohibits smoking in all places of employment and enclosed public places, including restaurants, theaters and laundromats. Private homes, bars, motel rooms and tobacco shops are exempt. Prohibits smoking within 10 feet of any entrance to buildings where smoking is prohibited. Requires no-smoking signs to be posted in every building or area where smoking is prohibited. Imposes fines on any person, including a minor's parents or guardians, who sell or provide tobacco to a minor. (Those wishing to read the ordinance in full will find it on Central Point's Web site: www.ci.central-point.or.us ) Today's Edition : News | Sports | Business | Weather | Tempo | Classifieds Mail Tribune Copyright � The Mail Tribune 2000, Medford, Oregon USA