Here’s a breakdown of how Grand Forks City Council members voted Monday during the debate over banning smoking in bars, casinos and truck stops. Council President Hal Gershman asked to be excused from voting because he owns a business that sells alcohol. This left an even number of council members, requiring Mayor Mike Brown to break the tie three times.

Here’s a breakdown of how Grand Forks City Council members voted Monday during the debate over banning smoking in bars, casinos and truck stops.

Council President Hal Gershman asked to be excused from voting because he owns a business that sells alcohol. This left an even number of council members, requiring Mayor Mike Brown to break the tie three times.

1. Should the smoking ban go on the ballot in June? Doug Christensen made the motion. Mike McNamara seconded.

- Yes: Terry Bjerke, Christensen, McNamara.

- No: Art Bakken, Eliot Glassheim, Curt Kreun. Brown broke the tie.

2. Should the council ban all tobacco products in city limits? This was an attempt by Bjerke to force the council to be “intellectually honest.” If it believes secondhand smoke is bad, it should ban the source of the problem, which is tobacco. Bjerke made the motion. McNamara seconded.

- Yes: Bjerke, McNamara.

- No: Bakken, Christensen, Glassheim, Kreun.

3. Should the city refuse to accept any tax revenues from tobacco products? Bjerke made the motion. McNamara seconded.

- Yes: Bjerke, McNamara.

- No: Bakken, Christensen, Glassheim, Kreun.

4. If the smoking ban passed, should truck stops that have made investments in smoking rooms be allowed to allow smoking for another five years to recoup their investments? One truck stop did that because the council had allowed this option and the owner believed the council would not change its mind again so soon. Bakken made the motion. Bjerke seconded.

- Yes: Bakken, Bjerke, McNamara.

- No: Christensen, Glassheim, Kreun. Brown broke the tie.

5. If the ban passed, should bars be allowed the option of having a ventilated smoking room served only by smokers? Bakken made the motion. Bjerke seconded.

- Yes: Bakken, Bjerke.

- No: Christensen, Glassheim, Kreun, McNamara.

6. Should the smoking ban be enacted?

- Yes: Christensen, Glassheim, Kreun. Brown broke the tie.

- No: Bakken, Bjerke, McNamara.

source: grandforksherald.com

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