County Council May Allow Exemptions For Smoking In Establishments. Why Not For Trash?

Question:
If St. Louis County voters decide on Nov. 3 to ban smoking in indoor public places, county officials would take the word of bar owners who apply for an exemption?

Next Question:
Why can't county officials (including the County Council) take the word of all residents who apply for an exemption from their maligned trash and recycle program?

Currently county officials take the word of some residents, but not all. Those who are exempted live in a subdivision and asked to be exempted from the law. Local residents have cried "Discrimination" but their complaints have fallen on deaf ears with Council members but are now being heard in the courts. What a waste of time and money.

Regarding the proposed smoking regulation . . . An election bill exempts casino floors and “drinking establishments” whose income from food is 25 percent or less of gross income. Exemption applicants would certify they meet the measure’s requirements. An earlier version of the smoking ban bill would have required them to submit receipts and data about their expenses and income relating to food and alcohol sales to support their applications.

On Tuesday night, the St. Louis County Council voted 4-3 at its regular meeting to move the bill toward final passage next week. More court battles?

Comments please.

. . . Submitted by Mike Roberts

Comments Received at St. Louis County’s Second Meeting

A second meeting in West County sponsored by St. Louis County was held this past Wednesday, September 19 to discuss the county's trash proposal plan. The attendance was much lighter with only about 50 residents on hand. There was neither strong support nor opposition voiced regarding the county's proposal. The mood at this meeting can be described as rather bland. Some of the points made by those who spoke are as follows:

1. The meeting was not very well publicized

2. The County will need more trash districts than they are proposing

3. Why is it that the County Council voted unanimous (7-0) to implement the trash proposal on behalf of the entire county while subdivision trustee directors cannot act on behalf of all of the residents of their respective subdivisions?

Greg Porter, Chairman for the North St. Louis County Problem Solving Committee presented the following questions concerning Opt-Out Options for subdivisions on behalf of Dr. Jerry Eichholz, Treasurer for Paddock Forest, who was unable to attend:

1. To whom do subdivisions file an exemption from the contract actions of the county?

2. What is acceptable as demonstrating proof that more than two thirds of the subdivision property owners prefer to contract for services on their own without the support of county government?

3. To whom do the declaration, certification, and qualification go and what is the timeframe for the county to advertise for any specific district contract?

4. How much lead time will subdivisions be given to complete the required hoops before the county will advertise for any specific district contracts?

For those who were unable to attend one of the first two forums, we would strongly encourage your attendance at the final forum to hear first-hand from the county about the trash district proposal and to learn more about your options concerning this controversial issue.

As reported on KMOX Radio on September 12, there is a very large turnout expected at this final forum (Sept. 24) with an attendance in excess of 500 residents. This was projected by a South County resident who spoke at the first meeting held in North County.