The opponents out-numbered supporters in a ratio of roughly 10 to one.
But even Mayor Ray Stern’s warning that council won’t make a decision until next month couldn’t curb the emotion as business representatives struggled to make councillors see how a smoking ban would stifle -- if not ruin -- their business — and smoking opponents urged them to amend the proposed 60-40 split and opt for total smoking ban in local eating establishments.
Five restaurant representatives stepped forward in a standing-room-only Slave Lake Town council chambers last week when Stern called for supporters of proposed bylaw #08-2003.
It’s a new smoking bylaw insisting all eating establishments that allow people under the age of 18 years set aside 60 per cent of their dining areas for non-smokers.
Yeas take the lead
Leading the charge was Northwest Inns assistant manager Larry Willis, spokesman for the Slave Lake Restaurant/Hotel Association. Representing the 265 or so people who work in the 13 restaurants that support the bylaw, Willis said a smoking ban would be ‘totally unfair’ for businesses in the association. That’s because two restaurants that sit on the community’s border but are in the neighbouring municipal district are not bound by Town rules and would clearly attract the smoking population.
“Layoffs do happen and (smoking bans) do result in loss of business,” he told councillors.
“No bylaw should put any business in the position of losing business.”
Businesses in the community are already feeling the effects of disruptions in the oil patch, he said, “and (a smoking ban) would only compound” the problem.
“We feel policy should be dictated by the clientele, not a well-meaning group of individuals” who make rules for the community.
Three other restaurant representatives and a business owner echoed the sentiments before Stern invited bylaw opponents to have their say .
Whole lot of class
When he asked for people opposed to the bylaw to step forward, Grade 5 teacher Martine Moore ushered her squad of 20-odd students forward. The bylaw had formed the basis for an extensively researched class project, she explained, with each student offering a reason why smoking should be banned in Slave Lake restaurants. She said every one of her students was obliged to take part in a presentation at their school, “but it was their choice to be here tonight.” Each offered a reason why council should consider banning smoking in local restaurants.
For the family
Taking a turn at the microphone, local resident Florence Gladue said she was speaking on behalf of her great-grandson Kaleb McArthur, all her siblings, children and grandchildren.
“All the money you pay would never replace my great-grandchild,” she told councillors, “and its my duty to stand up” on their behalf.
“No wonder you guys are all fighting over dollars,” she added. “Maybe we have too many restaurants.”
Caroline Waters showed councillors a bag of medications she needs to take daily to counter the effects of asthma as well as smoke and other airborne contaminants.
And Trish Adamkewicz was reduced to tears as she told councillors about a grandfather, who’d smoked all his life, “and now I’m losing my grandfather. I just pray that I don’t lose my children too.”
Standing tall
Several other residents – some as young as nine-year-old Nicole Fremit, who climbed onto a stool to reach the microphone -- encouraged council to ban smoking in restaurants — for the health and wellness of all residents.
Lee Cardinal said sometimes he sticks tissue paper up his nose so he can enjoy his meal in a smoke-filled restaurant.
“Some people think I’m nuts, but when you really think about it, who is nuts?”
In all, more than 50 residents offered opinions at the meeting that saw an estimated 160 residents of all ages crammed into council chambers.
Applauding residents for taking the time to get involved, Stern said because three of seven councillors – Lisa Brown, George Snider and Valerie Tradewell — were absent from the meeting, council won’t consider second and third readings for the bylaw until its July meeting.
He said council wouldn’t accept any more presentations at that time.

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