In another twist in Howard County?s smoking ban saga, Council Member Kenneth Ulman unveiled a new bill Thursday, the fourth version proposed by the county council this year.
The new bill includes a start date of June 1, 2007, compared to the one proposed by County Council Chairman Christopher Merdon this month, which had a start date of July 1, 2008. “This is a bill that is an honest attempt at legislation by people who actually support the bill, support the issue and are planning to vote for the issue,” said Ulman, who drafted the bill with County Executive James Robey.
Ulman asked Merdon why he proposed his bill before a new council member was appointed to replace David Rakes, who resigned for health reasons. Merdon said the new member might be watching the public hearing on television.
Democrat Calvin Ball, who was selected by the Howard County Democratic Central Committee Tuesday, said, “I think it?s disrespectful to suggest that the residents of District 2 don?t deserve better than a council person who is going to sit at home and legislate from their living room couch.” He said he is leaning toward tabling Merdon?s bill, and looking positively toward Ulman?s.
“The residents of District 2 deserve a council member that is involved in the process, especially with such an important issue. I?m dealing with the safety of our constituents,” Ball said. However, Merdon said Ulman?s move is purely political. “I think Ken is playing politics with a very serious health issue,” Merdon said. “This issue has been debated more than any other issue in the last eight years, its time to take a vote.”
Restaurant owners who had planned for Merdon?s two-year start date would lose out with the new bill, according to Melvin Thompson, vice president of government relations for the Restaurant Association of Maryland.
“It?s unfortunate because they may gain points politically, but bar and restaurant owners are going to lose,” Thompson said.
