by KYW’s Mike Dunn
This is the week that could see Philadelphia’s smoking ban breathe freely or be extinguished. Mayor Street, by Thursday, must either sign or veto the measure.
City Council passed a smoking ban before adjourning for the summer (see previous story). When they return to work this Thursday, the mayor must announce whether he has signed or vetoed the bill.
But over the summer, the man who spearheaded the smoking ban -- Michael Nutter -- resigned to run for mayor, leaving other supporters, like Frank DiCicco, in the lurch:
“I felt very disappointed and let down at the fact that he decided to leave before September 14th, so that we can get this bill passed.”
The mayor has reservations about the measure, including that it exempts outdoor dining.
DiCicco says if Street does wield the veto pen, he’d start from scratch with a new bill that meets the concerns of the mayor and councilmembers about issues like neighborhood taverns and sidewalk cafés.
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