HomeMy WebLinkAboutA017 - Letter to Retailers & Citizens for Fair Trade Practices Group PKfis . J j -0 3 -00
Caring People
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Euepnonal Servire
October 28, 2000
Retailers & Citizens for Fair Trade Practices Group
Rodney Hibbs, Director
3708 Jewel Drive
Ames, IA 50010
Dear Sir:
I received your letter of October 27 regarding your allegation of "conflict of interest." As
City Attorney John Klaus made very clear in the Tribun.e article this morning, no such
conflict exists. I would respectfully request that you inform yourself regarding the statutory
definition of that term before using it again.
For your information, it was back in January that I initially recommended to the Council
that we consider a smoke-free dining ordinance. The Council unanimously directed the City
Attorney to begin researching the city's authority in this area. As a result of the news
coverage that later occurred, I was contacted by representatives of the Ames Tobacco Task
Force. At their invitation, I met with them, as I would meet with your group should you
care to invite me.
My position on this issue has been open and honest from the beginning. I have met, talked,
and corresponded with a huge number of people who support smoke-free dining and have
encouraged them to get involved. I have also met, talked, and corresponded with a smaller
number of people who are opposed. Both sets of contacts have been beneficial in sharpening
my understanding of this issue and the arguments surrounding it. It was from these discus-
sions, for instance, that I learned of the restaurant owners' interest in broadening the ban
to include bars. In response to their concerns, the Council has now unanimously instructed
the City Attorney to draft language to that effect.
,
E . uirmb
Member, 4th Ward
Ames City Council
cc: Mayor & Council