Letter: Not a dead issue

Last month, after reading the DI's coverage of the Champaign City Council's study session on smoking bans, one would reasonably assume that a smoking ban in Champaign would not happen for two more years at best. A vote for a total ban was defeated (although only by one vote) and council member Kathy Ennan declared the matter "a dead issue" until 2007. ÿ
In reality, a second vote could happen at any regular city council meeting. Gina Jackson, who voted against it originally has since been quoted in the News-Gazette as now being willing to vote for a total ban, which would be the fifth and deciding vote to pass a total ban. Especially with Chicago about to go smoke-free, a second vote could likely happen soon, so now would be a great time for the four who previously voted for the ban (Ennan, Dodds, Rosales and Bruno), and Jackson, to be supported and encouraged to work out the kinks before the vote so it will pass this time.
One of those kinks, Urbana, is just waiting to follow Champaign's lead on this. If the CCC members don't trust them, they can simply add a provision that their smoking ban is contingent on Urbana adopting a similar plan, as they certainly will.
Now, it is puzzling why Kathy Ennan, who is a nurse that voted for a total ban, would choose to hail a 5-4 defeat of an ordinance 75% of the public supported as a "victory for democracy" AND be so quick to declare the issue "dead" for two years. But, I do thank her for her vote and look forward to it again in the upcoming weeks.
Gordon Kay
University employee