Free Republic

GALLUP, N.M. -- The Gallup City Council voted 3-2 Tuesday against an ordinance that would ban smoking in most public gathering places, including restaurants and sports venues, said Gallup Mayor Bob Rosebrough. Rosebrough said a referendum initiative will begin next, and the issue will be voted on by the general public. For this to happen, the ordinance will have to get 20 percent of the voters from the last governor's election who were registered in Gallup to sign a petition.

A civil lawsuit is now on file against the Tropicana bar. The lawsuit says the owners' disregard for the county wide smoking ban is: "...creating a public nuisance and health hazard for which the Wheeling-Ohio County Board of Health has received complaint."The bar is owned by Ohio County Delegate Chris Wakim. Wakim told News9 he would not comply with the smoking ban regulation. "Until and at such point as I feel that they work this out, I am not going to be in compliance, absolutely not, said Wakim.The county health officer says Wakim's public defiance is influencing other bars. A...