One thing became clear during an interview last week with Indianapolis
Mayor Greg Ballard: He's tired of being asked about smoking bans (Indianapolis Star). It's understandable -- he's been
answering persistent questions for more than two years. The Republican faced flak for threatening to veto a 2009 City-
County Council proposal that would have expanded Marion County's smoking ban to most bars. Last year, Democratic
challenger Melina Kennedy criticized him on the issue. And then, late last year, he endorsed a proposed compromise, put
forth by former Council President Ryan Vaughn, that carried exemptions to Ballard's liking. But Democrats ended up
scuttling the measure in a committee vote. Now, with Democrats newly in the council majority, a bipartisan smoking ban
proposal -- also mostly in line with Ballard's preferences -- is being introduced at Monday's meeting. It would cover most
bars, while exempting existing cigar and hookah bars, retail tobacco shops and nonprofit private clubs and fraternal
organizations whose members vote to retain smoking. So, yet again, The Indianapolis Star peppered the mayor with
questions about the smoking ban during a visit last week to his 25th-floor office. Here's one, but first some background:
Ballard's advisers are asking the new proposal's sponsors to relax the provision on private clubs to ensure that those that
retain smoking can still allow children in their buildings. As written, they couldn't, even when they host events such as
weddings. The council sponsors point out that Ballard, in seeking the exemption for private clubs, never previously
identified allowing children as part of his requirement.
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