October 5, 2008
Mayor Gary Wheeler & Members of the City Council
Re: Dangerous Fumes
I wrote you in December of 2006 regarding this same
issue and even spoke at a board meeting but little has come of
it. My request was for adopting a local ordinance against smoking
in public, i.e. declaring cigarette ‘smoke’ a hazardous
substance. The result of my last request was the letter was
forwarded to the city attorney who said this, that and another thing
but probably lawyer talk for it could be done. That is good, it
has already been passed (as I said before) in several towns in
California and recently the COUNTRY of India banned smoking in all
public places.
I understand we may have some nicotine
addicts on the city council and I think it would only be fair that they
stay out of all discussion & voting on the matter. After all,
they are part of the problem.
The situation right now is there is often a cloud
bank of smoke at the entrances to many public buildings and places of
business e.g. grocery stores. Nothing like a whiff of noxious
fumes to help you think of something good for supper. How about
the playground/parks? Since my letter, you passed a law with
something about underage smoking yet you can take your kid to the park
and there the adults are sitting around puffing away teaching children
to associate smoking with fun.
I would be more than happy to resend my earlier
request or I’m sure the people at ash.org would help you draft the
legislation, the lawyers there do nothing but tobacco/nicotine related
legislation and it probably wouldn’t cost you a dime.
I appreciate your time and please contact me at any time if there is anything I can do.
Thank You
Gem Burke
Gem Burke
1808 Roxy Ann Pl
Medford, OR 97504
December 15, 2006
Mayor Gary Wheeler
Re: Nicotine Addiction
I would like to propose a few changes to how we do business in the city
of Medford. I’m sure you have noticed the blue haze as you enter
many of the establishment within the city. Restaurant, malls,
many business now that they have banned smoking (*and I’ll get to this
later) and rightly so in their establishments the addicts line up
outside the door to get their ‘hit’ of nicotine. I’m sure you
have even noticed the addicts get out of their car in the parking lot,
light up their drug of choice and puff away to the door where they put
out or sometimes don’t put out their cigarette at the door.
I shouldn’t need to repeat the hazards of secondhand smoke yet
subjecting people to daily doses of it for some reason seems entirely
acceptable. Why is that?
I would like to suggest that cigarette smoke be declared a PUBLIC
NUISANCE. Smoking should be banned anywhere it comes into contact
with the public including outdoor public gatherings, parks and even the
sidewalks. For ***** sake, these people are addicts and are
sucking down possibly the most addictive drug in the world. WHY
is it necessary for me to share?
* Which brings me to my other point. I sincerely believe that it
should no longer be referred to as “SMOKING” in any city communication
but should be called what it is, nicotine addiction.
I must request any communication with me you identify yourself as
a “nicotine addict” or an ex-“nicotine addict” should either one
apply.
The city of Belmont and Calabasas, CA have enacted similar
legislation. Contact http://ash.org for free
assistance should any be required writing such a law.
Thank you for your time.
xxxxxxx