Last night, several Smokefree DC representatives met with Fiona Greig, who is planning to challenge Jack Evans in Ward 2 next year.

Greig is everything Evans is not. She is progressive. She’s into improving our mass transit system and creating more green spaces. She’s an avid cyclist.

Most important, she isn’t co-opted [...]]]>

flickr photo courtesy of picturesinmylife_yls

Last night, several Smokefree DC representatives met with Fiona Greig, who is planning to challenge Jack Evans in Ward 2 next year.

Greig is everything Evans is not. She is progressive. She’s into improving our mass transit system and creating more green spaces. She’s an avid cyclist.

Most important, she isn’t co-opted by developers and corporate interests.

Greig is also on board with the concept of smokefree workplaces. She understood all that was wrong with Evans’ budget amendment that weakened the law and bypassed the public.

Greig likely will formally announce her candidacy soon, and we’ll learn more about her stances on issues in the coming weeks. Some of her ideas are already posted on her exploratory website. Although she doesn’t yet have much name recognition, that hopefully will change quickly. She is someone new who could bring a lot of good ideas to a Council that seems in desperate need of them.

Shame on the mayor for letting down the hotel workers who will have to breathe toxins on those nights. And shame on the mayor for forcing workers to choose between their health and a [...]]]> We just got word that Mayor Adrian Fenty has signed “emergency” legislation that will allow cigar smoking at two upcoming hotel events.

Shame on the mayor for letting down the hotel workers who will have to breathe toxins on those nights. And shame on the mayor for forcing workers to choose between their health and a paycheck. This measure places the health and safety of hotel employees at risk, as well as that of all attendees.

By signing this bill, Mayor Fenty has given in to Council cronyism (Jack Evans sought this exemption for his own club, the Friendly Sons of St. Patrick) and tells the electorate that the city does not take seriously its own laws.

We urge smokefree supporters to contact the Council at [...]]]> D.C. Councilmember Jack Evans (Ward 2) has introduced “emergency” legislation being considered today that would permit groups to smoke cigars at certain events (he is a member of one group that wants to do this on St. Patrick’s Day).
 
The Examiner has a pretty comprehensive story on it.

We urge smokefree supporters to contact the Council at dccouncil@dccouncil.us and remind theml that the law is the law for very good reasons (worker and public health), and the Council should not bend it.

Granting exemptions not only would open the floodgates for others to seek similar exemptions, but would send a message that the Council does not take seriously the laws it passes. And of course, there would be health consequences for the workers at the events.
 
If you prefer to call the Council, contact information is at http://www.dccouncil.washington.dc.us/contactuscouncil .