From: tac@cheztac.com
Date: Fri, 10/27/06
Greetings Smokefree Supporters!
We are still awaiting word from the mayor's office as to what the
proposed implementing regulations will be for the new smokefree law.
(They are supposed to be approved by the Council before they can take
effect.) You might recall that these are the rules that will spell out
how a business can get a waiver to the law -- a concern because,
depending on the way it's written, it could be a huge loophole. We'll
let you know as soon as we hear something.
In the meantime, we have endorsed candidates for the general election
for DC Council and mayor, scheduled for Nov. 7. We endorsed five current
Councilmembers and two newcomers. Candidates were selected for
endorsement based on their legislative track records and their responses
to a questionnaire.
The five incumbents are Ward 4 Councilmember Adrian Fenty, who is
running for mayor; Vince Gray, who is running for Council chair;
At-Large Councilmembers David Catania, and Phil Mendelson, who are
running for re-election; and Ward 1 Councilmember Jim Graham, who is
also running for re-election. The two newcomers are Mary Cheh, running
for the open Ward 3 Council seat, and Will Cobb, who aims to represent
Ward 6 on the D.C. Council. Five candidates are Democrats and two are
Independent.
Smokefree DC is issuing endorsements because of the importance of this
year's elections. Although the DC Council passed a strong smokefree
workplace law earlier this year, how faithfully the law is implemented
depends on the next mayor. The portion of the law pertaining to bars and
bar areas of restaurants does not take effect until January, when a new
Council is seated. (The portion pertaining to dining areas of
restaurants has already taken effect.) Opponents of the law have been
relentless trying to weaken the implementing regulations for the new
law.
Following is a complete list of endorsements. To view the candidates'
responses to the questionnaire and a complete list of recommendations,
along with a narrative containing the reasons for the recommendations,
go to http://www.smokefreedc.org/e2006/general-endorsements.php
<http://www.smokefreedc.org/e2006/general-endorsements.php> .
* * *
Mayor: Adrian Fenty
There is no question that Adrian Fenty is far and away the best
candidate for mayor. As a Ward 4 councilmember, he has been a strong,
early, and consistent proponent of 100 percent smokefree workplaces and
has earned our enthusiastic support.
Council Chair: Vince Gray
When Vince Gray ran for office two years ago, his platform included
strong support for comprehensive smokefree workplace legislation, and he
followed through on this promise with his votes on the Council. His
responses to Smokefree DC's questionnaire prove his continuing
commitment to the issue, and as Council chair we can expect that he will
work to preserve the integrity of the new smokefree workplace law.
At-Large Council Seat: Phil Mendelson
Phil Mendelson has been a strong, early and consistent supporter of 100
percent smokefree workplaces and a friend and ally of Smokefree DC. His
support has been steadfast.
At-Large Council Seat: David Catania
As chair of the Health Committee, Councilmember David Catania is
probably the one councilmember who is singlehandedly responsible for
getting a smokefree bill moving through the Council after other
smokefree measures had been bottled up. Councilmember Catania was
initially skeptical of the idea of smokefree workplace legislation but
became a strong supporter after studying the issue. We heartily
recommend that he be re-elected to his seat.
Ward 1: Jim Graham
In June 2005, Councilmember Jim Graham conducted a large, well-attended
Ward 1 town hall meeting at the Lincoln Theater and at its conclusion
dramatically announced his support for a smokefree workplaces law. This
well-publicized forum provided an important political boost for us, and
since then he has proven himself a friend and ally of Smokefree DC.
Ward 3: Mary Cheh
Mary Cheh has demonstrated strong support for smokefree workplace
legislation both in her candidate questionnaire and in discussion. She
advocates a complete phase-out of tobacco bars, highlighting the harm
done to their employees; supports increasing D.C.'s tax on tobacco
products; and supports spending more on effective tobacco use prevention
and cessation programs.
Ward 6: Will Cobb
Independent candidate Will Cobb has a good understanding of the health
hazards of secondhand smoke based on his personal experiences. He
strongly supports strengthening the new smokefree law if necessary and
is keenly aware of the importance of tobacco cessation programs.
Smokefree DC is a non-profit 504c(4) membership organization that
believes all workers have the right to breathe clean air on the job.
| 
