An Unlikely Ally
Every once in a while you find friends and allies in the most unlikely of places. Today, I have found a friend in District 2 City-County Councilor Angela Mansfield. In the seven years that I’ve written about city government Angela and I have never been all that close, it has been a cordial relationship on a good day, however, when I am downtown today I just may actually send her a gift and thank her for all she’s done for the smoking ban. It’s because of her and sticking to her principles the likelihood of the current smoking ban compromise being expanded over the next four years ranks right up there with Donald Trump living at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue.
Although she was on the grasp of getting 90-percent of what she wanted in an expanded smoking ban, that wasn’t enough. The measure failed to get a do-pass recommendation by a vote of 6-2 on the Council Rules Committee. Yes, most of the Republicans voted no, but what did you expect? Had Mansfield, Monroe Gray and Joanne Sanders voted “yes” we would be having a different conversation today. According to her public statements, it was an amendment by outgoing at-large Councilor Angel Rivera that would have allowed minors to enter a private club as long as smoking was in a segregated area that did it. I don’t believe that for a minute, but Mansfield had to come up with a reason to vote no and that one was as good as any.
By voting no and keeping the status quo Mansfield and the Democrats have clearly stated demonstrated that sometimes principle is more important than compromise. And walking away with nothing is what you have to do when the something you would have gotten was unacceptable. I would have taken the deal, declared victory and immediately retreated, however, I have been cursed with a very practical nature that can see the political handwriting on the wall and accept reality.
And for now, the new reality is we will likely live with the current smoking ban that keeps minors from being exposed to smoke and let’s everyone else with a brain make an informed decision about whether they want to patronize a place that allows smoking. And to think, none of this would have been possible without the biggest smoking ban proponent in Marion County. If Mansfield smoked, I’d buy her a box of cigars; CAO Sopranos Boss Torpedo Maduros. They retail for $300.00 a box, but after Tuesday night’s Committee meeting on the smoking ban, they are worth every penny.
Editor’s Note: Check out my monthly column in today’s Indianapolis Star. I offer Mayor Greg Ballard some advice for his second term, “Don’t get mad, just even with a few people.”
