By: Christian and Jessica Hutson
Owners, Just For Men
Mayor Jim O’Neal plans to introduce an ordinance later this month, and he expects it to pass. Springfield-Greene County Health Director Kevin Gipson says all businesses would be smoke free this time around.
The current smoking ban has numerous exemptions including retail stores (including Just For Him) and bars. Sixty-one exempt Bars are currently classified by the percentage of alcohol served. The proposed amendment would remove all of these exemptions by disallowing smoking at any place of business.
As citizens and business owners, this ban obviously concerns us on a personal and business level. Professionally, we would no longer be able to sample new cigars as they enter the store or create new pipe tobacco blends in our store. As a business, we currently have frequent events (many in support of local charities) that include smoking. We exist largely because local business people can come in before or after work and relax while enjoying a pipe or cigar while talking with friends. For some of our customers, important business decisions and contacts are made in our store.
Personally, we believe that intelligent, responsible, legal adults should be able to make their own decisions about where they spend their time and money. All of this would be in jeopardy if this ban goes through. This would also affect many of our favorite local businesses such as the cigar bar above Bijan’s, The Red Room in Flame, Skybox Grill & Lounge, Fox & Hound and The Albatross Hookah Lounge.
Springfield currently supports choice in businesses. For example, Nathan P. Murphy’s is a local, smoke free bar. Most retail stores carry no smoking signs on their door. Removing this choice second guesses both the business owner and consumer.
A public hearing on this proposal will take place at the June 28th city council meeting and a vote could occur as soon as July 12th. If you are a Springfield resident we strongly suggest contacting your city council person and attending the June 28th council meeting.
Please Contact Mayor Jim O’Neal And Springfield’s City Council Members
CRA is urging members in Missouri and across the CRA Mid-America Alliance to take action by contacting Mayor Jim O’Neal and the members of Springfield’s City Council to express your opposition to this expanded smoking ban policy.
Remember to tell them that “enjoying a cigar is not a crime!”
Mayor Jim O’Neal
Email: Mayor Jim O’Neal
Telephone: 417.864.1651
Fax: 417.864.1649
Postal Address:
Busch Municipal Building
Fourth Floor
840 Boonville Avenue
Springfield, MO 65802
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Zone 1 – Nick Ibarra
Email: Nick Ibarra
Telephone: 417.864.5007
Fax: 417.864.1649
Postal Address:
Busch Municipal Building
Fourth Floor
840 Boonville Avenue
Springfield, MO 65802
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Zone 2 – Cindy Rushefsky
Email: Cindy Rushefsky
Telephone: 417.862.9614
Fax: 417.864.1649
Postal Address:
Busch Municipal Building
Fourth Floor
840 Boonville Avenue
Springfield, MO 65802
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Zone 3 – Jerry Compton
Email: Jerry Compton
Telephone: 417.831.0187
Fax: 417.864.1649
Postal Address:
Busch Municipal Building
Fourth Floor
840 Boonville Avenue
Springfield, MO 65802
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Zone 4 – Scott Bailes
Email: Scott Bailes
Telephone:417.864.1651
Fax: 417.864.1649
Postal Address:
Busch Municipal Building
Fourth Floor
840 Boonville Avenue
Springfield, MO 65802
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General A – Bob Stephens
Email: Bob Stephens
Telephone: 417.864.1651
Fax: 417.864.1649
Postal Address:
Busch Municipal Building
Fourth Floor
840 Boonville Avenue
Springfield, MO 65802
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General B – John Rush
Email: John Rush
Telephone:417.864.1651
Fax: 417.864.1649
Postal Address:
Busch Municipal Building
Fourth Floor
840 Boonville Avenue
Springfield, MO 65802
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General C – Doug Burlison
Email: Doug Burlison
Telephone: 417.865.7175
Fax: 417.864.1649
Postal Address:
Busch Municipal Building
Fourth Floor
840 Boonville Avenue
Springfield, MO 65802
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General D, Mayor Pro Tem – Dan Chiles
Email: Dan Chiles
Telephone: 417.864.1651
Fax: 417.864.1649
Postal Address:
Busch Municipal Building
Fourth Floor
840 Boonville Avenue
Springfield, MO 65802
Documentation
News Articles:
http://www.ky3.com/news/local/96060229.html
http://ozarksfirst.com/fulltext?nxd_id=280155
Existing 2003 Ordinance (with exemptions):
http://www.springfieldmo.gov/clerk/ordinances/ORD5260.pdf
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