Staff Writer
gjohnson@theeasleyprogress.com
EASLEY - The courtroom was packed and witnesses for both sides were nearly split down the middle - but it wasn't a case being heard before a judge; it was the Mayor and City Council hearing from the public about a proposed smoking ordinance.
Last month, Mayor Larry Bagwell tasked Councilwoman Kim Valentin to head a committee to look into a possible limit on smoking in the city, whether it be only at public events or an all-encompassing ordinance.
The issue received little participation initially, but gained momentum in the week prior to Monday's council meeting in the main courtroom of the Law Enforcement Center next to City Hall.
During the public input portion of the regularly scheduled meeting, a number of people spoke on the smoking issue from both sides.
Terry "Square" Taylor, former Easley resident and advocate for the non-profit agencies Greenville Family Partnership and the S.C. Tobacco Collaborative.
The organizations focus on the prevention of alcohol, drug and tobacco abuse, particularly in youth, and offer smoking cessation classes and provide information to cities considering bans. Six cities have passed ordinances since Greenville's ban was upheld by the Supreme Court. Eighteen in all statewide have an ordinance.
"If you reduce the places to smoke, you reduce the people who start smoking," Taylor said, adding that common concerns surrounding a new ordinance are litter, enforcement and economic impact.
"We don't have 'smoking police,'" Taylor said. "People just comply with the law."
Priscilla Lollis said she was in favor of the strictest ordinance possible.
"Smoking kills people," Lollis said, recounting her father's lung cancer death and another relative's numerous surgeries, including removal of jaw bone, throat and use of feeding tubes.
"I think you should enact as strong a smoking ban as possible," Lollis said. "You have the authority to do that and I hope you'll take that responsibility (seriously.)"
Ruth Rice said she was the daughter and niece of smokers and while she is opposed to an all-out ban on smoking, she favors some kind of restriction.
"I hope that we can find a middle ground in an ordinance where we won't negatively impact the people whose livelihoods depend on this," Rice said, "but also enable those of us who don't smoke, to go out in public and be able to breathe."
Tiffany Martin, of the YMCA, spoke personally about negative health issues associated with second-hand smoke and how an ordinance would positively affect families who choose not to patronize businesses that currently allow smoking.
Robert Wise was in favor of a smoking ordinance but not an all-out ban, citing his California roots where businesses weathered the statewide ban without incident. And the health and rights of non-smokers need to be addressed, he said.
"Businesses there did not lose any of their clientele," Wise said. "I don't feel my health issues should be jeopardized by having to endure second-hand smoke."
Rainbow Billiards' owner Ray Welch said he has been in business for 32 years and foresees nothing but trouble from a smoking ban.
"It's going to ruin my business, absolutely ruin it," Welch said.
Michael's Pizzeria owner Michael Hedrick chooses to make his restaurant smoke free but said an ordinance forcing businesses to do so would violate their rights.
"It's my blood and sweat and tears to build my business," Hedrick said. "I decide what I'm going to do with my business."
The entire discussion stemmed from only a handful of complaints, Hedrick said.
"Why are we even here?" he said, adding that imposing a ban on smoking borders on the absurd.
"Smoking kills people. Nobody can get up here and say it doesn't," Hedrick said. "So do motorcycles, so do cars, so do smorgasbords. Let's tell people, 'You're only allowed to go eat once a week.' Somebody comes in with a belly like mine, 'You can only have a salad because there's an ordinance.' Come on. That's ridiculous."
Hedrick said his business actually improved by almost 10 percent when the restaurant went smoke-free inside.
And the issue isn't really smokers vs. non-smokers, it's about choices, he said.
"You're not a second-class citizen if you smoke," Hedrick said. "If you don't like smoke in a work environment, then don't work there. If you don't like smoke in a restaurant, don't eat there..."
Class Act Lounge private club owner Gerald Duncan said he polled his customers about a proposed ban.
"Ninety-nine percent were for smoking," Duncan said. "So that's where I stand on it."
Myrtle Beach Bar and Grill private club owner Chuck Gegenheimer passionately argued against making Easley smoke-free at Monday's council meeting, citing negative economic impact and business closures as the result if an ordinance is passed.
Gegenheimer said that in the month following Greenville's ban being instituted, he signed up 200 new members. His membership has since grown to more than 800 members.
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