Letter to the Editor: County-wide Smoking Ban

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 Dear St Charles County Council Members,

I would like to officially make my objection to the recently introduced ordinance known to all of the council members. I object to this legislation for a variety of reasons. First, I object on the basis of government interference with private enterprise. If I build a building, open a restaurant, bar or any kind of business, I do not believe that local government of any kind should put restrictions on smoking on my personal property.  Second, as an elected official, it is your duty to determine these kind of issues. There is no reason to have a public vote on this issue if you truly believe it is one of public health. I notice you did not ask the public about bath salts. Why go to the public on this one? Third, what is the language about city's over a population of 75,000 and having a health department all about? I believe that the city of St Charles is quite capable of deciding on our own about this issue. In fact, we have decided by NOT legislating any action on this issue. Even after a local committee recommended we impose a ban, the city elected officials decided not to. Fourth, if this truly was a health issue why are there exemptions? Are certain people more likely to be effected by this health issue than others? 

Please let the free market system decide this for all of our residents. It is time to stop the spread of government interference in areas where it does not belong.

Please do not support this legislation. Thanks for your service to the community and taking time to read my position on this subject.  

Dave Beckering

Vice President

St Charles City Council

Ward 7