Allegheny County Update
Orie targets smoking ban September 30, 2006 By Lara Brenckle State Sen. Jane Orie said Friday she will introduce legislation exempting Allegheny County from language included in a larger gambling reform bill that permitted smoking in casinos. Read
Smoke ban has cloudy future Sen. Orie to push statewide measure September 30, 2006 By Ed Blazina, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette State Sen. Jane Orie said yesterday she will push on two fronts to resolve Allegheny County's quandary over its attempt to ban smoking in public places. Ms. Orie, R-McCandless, intends to introduce a bill in Harrisburg that would give the county the power to decide whether it should allow smoking in Pittsburgh's slot machine casino. Read
9/29/06 Update:
Allegheny County Council and Chief Executive Dan Onorato have been confused on the smoking ban issue. The Council passed the ban on 9/26/06 in a 14-1 vote. On 9/27/06 the Pennsylvania Senate passed a Casino Bill. The Bill includes a State exemption over local laws to allow smoking in all Pennsylvania Casinos. There are no casinos in Pennsylvania yet in operation,Allegheny County is sloted for one and it is not yet built. The Bill has been passed to the State House of Representatives for passage,and is expected to pass.
The Primary sponsor of the Allegheny County ban is Council President Rich Fitzgerald. Upon hearing of the casino exemption, one day after the County Council vote, Fitzgerald initially said he felt the State was undermining the County Councils action. He went on to say if the State casino exemption passes, the County ban should be withdrawn. The same day Chief Executive Onorato said he will veto the County ban if the State exemption passes in the house. There is no time line on when the State House will vote on the Casino exemption. Onorato has until 10/05/06 to sign or veto the bill. No action, the bill will become law 90 days later.
In a taping for a Sunday 10/1/06 interview Fitzgerald is reported to say the county could allow the law to go into effect and deal with the casino exemption later. The casino in Allegheny County may not open for a year or more.
Another councilwoman, Joan Cleary,has stated after the State issue surfaced, there are enough votes to over ride a veto.
It has been reported, the Pennsylvania Clean Air Act says only Philadelphia (a 1st class city) is allowed to pass a law to impose a smoking ban.Litigation may occur if the ban is enacted. As of this time, there have been no reports of potential lawsuits.
- Robert Gehrmann
Smoking ban might not happen 09/29/2006 Susan Schmeichel, Times Correspondent - Months of meetings, public hearings and hard work may have been all for naught for Allegheny County Council members who passed a smoking ban Tuesday that would encompass bars, restaurants and workplaces. Pending state legislation and the apparent refusal of Pittsburgh International Airport to recognize the ban could doom it before it even takes effect. A day after council passed the ordinance on a 14-1 vote, the state Senate approved 31 changes to Act 71 of 2004, the bill that allows gambling throughout the state. One of the changes would exempt slot machine casinos from the ban, thus overriding the countywide ban on smoking in public places. Read
Smoking in casinos shouldn't snuff ban September 29, 2006 By Eric Heyl Let's get to the brutal, unfiltered truth: Allegheny County's public smoking ban is about to needlessly go up in flames. Read
Casino Exemption May Snuff Out Allegheny Co. Smoking Ban State Senate Bill Excludes Slot Machine Casinos From Ban September 28, 2006 PITTSBURGH -- The Allegheny County Council may kill the smoking ban after learning of a casino exemption. A state senate bill excludes slot machine casinos from the ban. Chief Executive Dan Onorato is now reportedly saying he may veto the bill if the council doesn't pass new legislation to withdraw the ordinance. Onorato was previously undecided on whether he would veto the ban, sign it, or let it pass without his signature. The ban was passed Tuesday and prohibits smoking in public buildings and places of employment. Read
Smoking ban hard for health facilities September 28, 2006 By Anita Srikameswaran and Chico Harlan, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette With Allegheny County on the verge of prohibiting smoking in restaurants, taverns and other places the public frequents, many are still trying to figure out how it will apply to their properties. Health care facilities might face the greatest challenge because of an amendment accepted shortly before County Council approved the ban Tuesday night. Read
Restrictions Coming For Smokers In Allegheny Co. September 27, 2006 (KDKA) New restrictions are on the way for smokers in Allegheny County. Allegheny County Council voted 14-1 Tuesday to pass the bill. Councilman Richard Nerone was the only opponent. The measure calls for a ban on smoking within 15 feet of any building’s entrance or exit, subway platforms, pool halls and bowling alleys. Specialty tobacco stores, private homes and some hotel rooms would be exempt from the ban. Fines would start at $50 and go as high as $300. County Executive Dan Onorato has seven days to sign the bill, veto it or allow it to become law without his signature. But Onorato has reportedly not decided yet what he’ll do. Read
Allegheny County Council is close to ban on smoking
Ordinance would affect restaurants, bars and other public places September 20, 2006
By Anita Srikameswaran, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Allegheny County Council's health committee members haven't been blowing smoke about their intention to ban smoking in bars, restaurants and certain other public places. Yesterday, they released their proposed ordinance for a council vote next week, and council president and primary sponsor Rich Fitzgerald, D-Squirrel Hill, expects the ordinance will be approved. "The big news is, [on] Tuesday we're going to pass a smoking ban bill," he said. "It's major news in Allegheny County." County Chief Executive Dan Onorato would have to sign off on it, and Mr. Fitzgerald was less certain whether there would be enough affirmative votes to override a veto if one occurred. Amendments to the ordinance could still be made at Tuesday's council meeting. Even if it leapt over those hurdles, the ordinance, which would go into effect 90 days after approval, is likely to face legal challenges. The state's Clean Indoor Air Act of 1988 contains a clause that appears to pre-empt municipalities other than Philadelphia and Pittsburgh from enacting local smoking bans. Last week, Philadelphia Mayor John F. Street signed a measure that will make most restaurants and bars there smoke-free. That and Allegheny County's efforts lend support to state legislators who have been pushing for a smoking ban for years. "It's a huge shot in the arm for us, absolutely," said state Rep. Susan Cornell, R-Montgomery. "With Philadelphia and hopefully Allegheny [County] going forward, I think it gives us huge momentum." In a June vote, the House Health and Human Services Committee deadlocked 14-14 on her bill, which would ban smoking in most indoor public places statewide. Before Philadelphia moved ahead, "I had my doubts" that it would advance, she said. But the committee held an informational meeting on the issue last week that "went very well," and will be talking about it again next week, she said. County Health Director Dr. Bruce Dixon submitted written testimony to the House committee encouraging it to act. He and other health experts, policy makers and business people have said that a statewide ban is preferable to multiple local rules. The committee members "clearly understand we don't need 50 things in 50 different places in Pennsylvania," Dr. Dixon said. In June, Harrisburg City Council members overrode a mayoral veto to pass a smoking ban. But it is now on hold because police u nion officials contend that such a change in working conditions has to be negotiated. Reading City Councilwoman Marcia Goodman-Hinnershitz has been working on a local smoking ban. "Everybody needs to be educated to get them to where they understand what the health risks are," she said. Still, "what's different now is people are saying maybe the state is a little bit behind the times here. Local municipalities are going to have to take the lead on this." Ms. Cornell's bill is more restrictive than the ordinance that passed in Philadelphia, which has exemptions for outdoor cafes and allows private clubs and bars that generate more than 90 percent of their income from drinks to apply for waivers. She noted that House health committee members from Philadelphia that previously voted against her bill might now rethink their positions. "Hopefully we can bring it up for a vote again and we'll have what we need to get it past the committee" and to the full House for consideration, Ms. Cornell said. The Allegheny County ordinance would prohibit smoking in any enclosed area open to the public, including workplaces, retail stores, office buildings, health care facilities and licensed gaming facilities, and within 15 feet of entrances to such locations. Restaurants and bars would have to go smoke-free, as would private clubs, which were exempt in earlier drafts of the proposal. Specialty tobacco establishments, defined by having on-site sales of tobacco and tobacco-related products for use either on or off the premises that make up 85 percent or more of gross annual sales, are exempted from the ban, and hotels and other lodgings can designate 25 percent of their rooms for smokers. In its meeting last night, the county Health and Human Services Committee decided that those who smoke in prohibited areas and noncompliant business owners would be fined $250 for any violation. However, for the first six months of the ban's implementation, first-time offenders would get only a warning. The committee also included language to prevent employer retaliation against employees who enforce the rules. An amendment to reintroduce an exemption for private clubs, such as VFWs, failed, as did a proposal for a "part-time ban" in which taverns and bingo halls would be smoke-free four days per week but smoke-friendly on the other days. Councilman Vince Gastgeb, R-Bethel Park, said he will suggest at next week's council meeting an amendment that would allow fund-raising organizations to apply for waivers for specific events. In other business, county Health Department managers told the committee that redirection of funds to health care for inmates at the county jail has been at the expense of public health programs. Restaurants, coke plants, schools, personal care homes and other businesses and establishments are not being inspected as frequently as they should be, they said. One-third of the department's workforce is expected to retire in the next five years, and salaries are not competitive enough to hire replacement staff, noted management committee spokesman Guillermo Cole. "This is really an S.O.S," he said. "We're seeing a steady decline in public health programs." Meanwhile, Robert Gerhmann just did a FANTASTIC job in his testimony at the Allegheny hearing! This was his first time testifying and it sounds like he made quite an impression!
Robert Gehrmann Reports:
I went to my American Legion in McKeesport last night,first time in 3 weeks. Many of the people approached me,having seen me on the news. Only 1 knew what my message was. Many said there was an Article in the Mckessport Daily News,with a 5"x7" picture of me waving the bill at my presentation.Some said it was on the front page. Only 1 of 25 that saw the news and/or paper knew my position. One group of 8, with 6 smokers, thought I was for the Ban. Later 1 saw me smoking and confronted me as to why I was for the ban if I smoke. UNREAL people cannot even read an article that has a picture of someone they know.
(McFadden notes: I get the same reaction with my book... people can't even make sense out of three words with no pictures to distract them!)
... I successfully worked the Legion crowd with my flyer.Many said they will write councilmen -- with info I supplied. The strongest against the ban were unaware of it, none of them saw the news or paper. The Commander is a non, not usually there. An auxiliary woman that manages the place is strongly with us and will further recruit writers with additional flyers I gave her. That's great, the opposite side of the county, then where I do most of my canvassing. It takes an hour to drive there.
End of report from the Allegheny front lines!
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As presented 9/5/2006
I would like to address this assembly as a REASONABLE MAN. I ATTEMPT TO HAVE RESPECT AND TOLERANCE TOWARD ALL PEOPLE. EDUCATION, NOT INDOCTRINATION, SHOULD BE THE STANDARD. I will address the first part of the Bill. I EXPECT MY GOVERNMENT TO BASE LEGISLATION ON FIRM FOUNDATIONS, AND NOT SIDE WITH ONE GROUP OF CITIZENS AGAINST ANOTHER. I INTEND TO SHOW THE PROPOSED BILL IS NOT BASED ON A FIRM FOUNDATION. I AM NOT A SCIENTIST OR A DOCTOR , BUT I HAVE FOUND COUNTLESS INCONSISTENCIES. I AM NOT A FARMER EITHER, BUT I CAN TELL A ROTTEN APPLE! THE WHEREAS section of the bill refers to studies, studies are investigations not proof. The cited studies are not even scientifically sound. Will structure fires be reduced or increased by this bill ? Removing ashtrays and promoting “hidden smoking” in out of the way places as well as promoting hasty and improper disposal of cigarettes may very well increase the number of fires. HERE ARE JUST SOME OF THE THINGS EVEN A NONSCIENTIST CAN SEE WRONG WITH THE 1999 EPA REPORT. THE UPMC web site on ASTHMA states “THE UNDERLYNG CAUSE OF ASTHMA IS UNKNOWN.” UPMC further states “The rate of asthma has increased by 60% since 1979 among all ages, races, and gender groups”. That is roughly the amount that smoking has been reduced, in the same period of time. (held it up, while saying it.) THE AMERICAN LUNG ASSOCIATION LIST 5 MAIN CAUSES OF PNEUMONIA . SMOKING OR “SHS” IS NOT LISTED. (Held it up, while saying it.) If ventilation systems are expensive, then it should be up to the owners to decide. No ventilation system will 100% rid a restaurant of chlorine fumes, from cleaners , or chlorinated water or alcohol fumes or anything else. That doesn’t mean they have to be banned. 16% of the County smokes . Is 16% the magic number for discrimination? There are smaller groups that are not discriminated against, Doctors , Lawyers and Indian Chiefs. We know now, the Indians were unjustly persecuted and nearly extinguished for being different. THE COUNTY SOLICITOR HAS STATED STATE LAW PROHIBITS THIS COUNTY FROM MAKING SUCH A LAW. HOW CAN A LAW BE RESPECTED THAT IS BREAKING A LAW? The Anti-Smoking Lobby has created an HYSTERIA in this country. They are funded by the tobacco settlement and DRUG companies. They pay for biased studies and manipulate data for their own ends. THIS BILL IS A WICKED WEED OF “HATE” FROM THE SOWN SEED OF INTOLERENCE FOR DIFFERING LIFESTYLES AND MUST BE REJECTED. INDIVIDUAL AMERICANS SHOULD BE FREE TO OPENLY DECLARE THEIR BUSINESS PREMISES SMOKING OR NOT SMOKING UNDER THE FREE MARKET. (WAVED IT IN THE AIR WHILE SAYING IT.) Council meetings usually start with the Pledge of Allegiance. I don‘t know why it didn’t tonight, The pledge of allegiance ends with “LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL”
Onorato reportedly remains undecided about county smoking ban 09/07/2006
PATRICK CLOONAN
Allegheny County Council President Rich Fitzgerald, D-Squirrel Hill, said a new bill banning smoking in all public places across the county cannot take effect until 90 days after County Executive Dan Onorato signs it. The question becomes, is Onorato planning to sign it? An Associated Press report indicating the county executive would veto Bill No. 2705-06 was snuffed out Wednesday afternoon. Onorato spokesman Kevin Evanto said his boss has not decided whether he will or won't veto it. "Dan's position hasn't really changed," Evanto said. "He would prefer a statewide ban because he doesn't want to do anything that would put businesses in Allegheny County at a competitive disadvantage." Read
Council's proposal expands smoking ban August 31, 2006
Lara Brenckle Allegheny County Council Wednesday released a draft of its controversial smoking-ban ordinance six days ahead of a public hearing. The latest draft proposes tighter restrictions on smoking. Private clubs and taverns would have to abide by the smoking ban. An earlier draft allowed these businesses to apply for a waiver. A public hearing on the proposed ban is scheduled for 6 p.m. Tuesday in the Gold Room of the Allegheny County Courthouse. The proposal also calls for prohibiting smoking within 15 feet of any building entrance or exit, on all T platforms, by cart vendors preparing food, and in pool halls and bowling alleys. Hotels may lodge smokers, but no more than 25 percent of rooms can be designated as smoking. Cigar bars and hookah lounges likely can breathe easy: The exemption remains for businesses who derive 85 percent or more of gross sales from tobacco or tobacco-related products. The Health Department or designated local law enforcement would handle complaints and enforcement of the ordinance. Penalties for smokers and businesses that allow people to smoke have been more clearly defined. First-time violators would receive written warnings. Individuals would face fines from $25 to $200 for repeat violations. Businesses would face fines of $250 to $500. After a third violation, the Health Department may suspend licenses or permits of the offending establishment. Those wishing to testify at the public hearing may register to speak through noon Monday. County offices are closed for Labor Day, but chief clerk John Mascio said any e-mail, voice mail or letter received on that day will be considered to have made the deadline. As of Wednesday, 15 people had signed up. Comments will be limited to three minutes. Read
County Council, health board to work together on smoking ban July 28, 2006
Jerome L. Sherman Allegheny County Council and the county Board of Health yesterday promised to work together to craft a comprehensive smoking ban for most indoor workplaces. The two government bodies have become entangled in power struggles in the past, but both now seem willing to build momentum on the smoking issue. "I think we're in agreement on the general principle," Dr. Bruce Dixon, director of the county Health Department, told a council committee meeting. "We need to do something." Council President Rich Fitzgerald, D-Squirrel Hill, this month proposed a bill that would outlaw smoking in restaurants, most bars and any casinos built in Allegheny County. The bill would allow smoking in some private clubs and bars that earn less than 10 percent of their revenue from food sales. Dr. Dixon said the health board would prefer the "absolute abolition" of smoking in workplaces, including all bars and private clubs. He and council member Michael Finnerty, chairman of the Health and Human Services Committee, agreed to organize a meeting between the two bodies to address those concerns. Kevin Joyce, president of the Pennsylvania Restaurant Association, encouraged council to wait for the state Legislature to pass a ban for all counties and municipalities. "We don't want 75 different laws in the commonwealth of Pennsylvania," said Mr. Joyce, owner of The Carlton Restaurant in Downtown Pittsburgh. Council, the health board and county Chief Executive Dan Onorato also prefer the statewide approach, but Mr. Fitzgerald said he doesn't want to wait for Harrisburg legislators, who have moved at a sluggish pace in their handling of several anti-smoking bills. A county bill, however, may face legal challenges. County Solicitor Michael Wojcik has said that the state's Clean Indoor Act prevents most local governments from approving their own bans. Mr. Fitzgerald said that shouldn't be a deterrent, noting that council last year moved ahead on major changes to the property assessment system despite the threat of lawsuits. Council's Health and Human Services Committee will again consider the smoking ban Aug. 15. If the committee recommends the bill, all 15 council members could take a final vote Aug. 22. Read
Smoking ban would be drag for bars July 13, 2006
Mike Seate Mike Pollice isn't ready to install revolving doors on his restaurant in Cranberry, but he's expecting a big crowd. The charismatic owner of Domenico's on Route 19 in Butler County, just across the Allegheny County border, is far from alone in thinking that. "If (Allegheny) County outlaws smoking in all its bars and restaurants, I know for a fact that there's going to be a lot of empty bars south of here and more people heading our way," Pollice said. That's something advocates of a countywide smoking ban likely have thought of, but it's unlikely that they care. The Allegheny County Board of Health is determined to snuff out smoke in bars and restaurants, joining New York, Los Angeles and London at the forefront of this controversial trend. Never mind that trying to eliminate lung-damaging smoke in a place where people willfully go to damage their livers makes as much sense as issuing free CT scans at a Golden Gloves boxing tournament. Secondhand smoke is being touted as the latest in a long line of public health bogeymen -- from obesity, to drinking, to fried foods -- by the U.S. Surgeon General's Office. When it comes to our country's latest enthrallment with prohibition, we're apparently willing to risk the livelihood of local bar owners in our quest for better health. Pollice, a bar proprietor for more than 21 years, says he has watched anti-cigarette hysteria reach a peak in recent years. When he attempted to purchase a cigarette machine for his lobby a couple of years ago, Pollice found only used models were available because the machines are no longer manufactured. "We have to constantly upgrade the machine because the state changes the price we can sell them at all the time. Now, I have to card for legal drinking age and cigarette sales," he said. Many of Pollice's customers have told him they'll stay home if a statewide smoking ban is adopted. "Lots of people only smoke when they drink," he said. "It's like two behaviors that go together for a lot of people, and always have." Nick Engel, a general manager for the local Sharp Edge restaurant chain, said he has imagined such a no-smoking scenario. "It's just a matter of time, at this point, before the whole world adopts a public no-smoking policy," he said. "If you've been in the restaurant industry for a while, you must have seen this coming." Local smokers have been granted a reprieve while the state Legislature continues to debate the issue. Even a smoke-out in Allegheny County isn't a sure bet, because many officials fear it could grant neighboring areas an unfair business advantage. Until the issue is resolved, smoke 'em if you got 'em. But don't be surprised to find yourself doing so alone, in the privacy of your home, if the bureaucrats get their way. Read
Despite Confusion, Local Lawmakers Try To Address Smoking Ban July 13, 2006 PITTSBURGH -- Local lawmakers are fed up with the inaction over a smoking ban for Pittsburgh, Channel 4 Action News reported. The Allegheny County Council has met to address a ban, an act that is contradictory to the state's Clean Indoor Act, which prevents local governments from creating their own smoking bans. "We need to protect the people who work in these facilities, in addition to the people who are patronizing these facilities," said Council president Rich Fitzgerald. The Allegheny County Health Department is also included in the turf battle, saying it has the legal authority to create health regulations--not the council. Regardless of jurisdiction, health department director Dr. Bruce Dixon told Channel 4 Action News that Pittsburgh must protect workers from the dangers of smoke. "We need to figure out how we work in concert to make sure this comes about," Dixon said. "So it shouldn't be an adversarial relationship, it shouldn't be an all-or-none, it shouldn't be one group versus another group. We all want the same thing." Read
Allegheny County Council Considers Smoking BanJuly 12, 2006 The Allegheny County Council is considering a county-wide smoking ban. There is an ordinance on Wednesday's agenda to ban smoking in certain public places and workplaces. The ordinance would also provide penalties for violations. There is a resolution on the table urging the state legislature to pass a statewide ban. The Pennsylvania Restaurant and Bar Association recently offered its support of a ban if there are no exemptions. Read
Prospect of smoking ban spurs range of reactions
July 6, 2006
Erin Stimer
A physically healthier Allegheny County may not lead to a healthier restaurant economy.
The Allegheny County Health Department board will discuss supporting a ban on smoking in workplaces today (Wednesday). Allegheny County Council would have to pass a new rule to snuff out cigarettes for any changes to take effect.
The health department has not yet taken a position on a smoking ban, said Guillermo Cole, spokesman.
Charles Martoni, Alle-gheny County Council vice president, said, "We are going to study it very carefully. I'm sure we'll have a very lively discussion." Read More
The smoking ban plan
The smoking ban plan By Dimitri Vassilaros
TRIBUNE-REVIEW
Monday, May 9, 2005 Before the Allegheny County Board of Health asks residents if they would support a smoking ban in the workplace (including bars and restaurants), it should ask if they are willing to ban smoking in every residence. Even if the supposed threat of secondhand smoke is not junk science. The board voted 8-0 on Wednesday to form a committee to determine if the public and the business community would fall for this scheme. If the premise that property rights no longer matter is accepted, a smoking ban for homes and apartments will be inevitable. When the government is told it has a moral obligation -- and is given the power -- to protect innocent bystanders in the workplace, how could it not also protect them in their homes, especially since it would be protecting children and senior citizens? Secondhand smoke supposedly causes 3,000 lung cancer deaths and 35,000 heart disease deaths in adult nonsmokers in the United States annually, according to the American Lung Association. However, Allegheny County, the state of Pennsylvania and even the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention cannot tell you the name of one person who died of secondhand smoke. Not one. The number is derived from a fuzzy math formula. Even Bruce Dixon, questions its validity. "I do not know where the data comes from," Dr. Dixon said. "It may be a bit suspect. There needs to be confirmation of that." So what caused the board to act? Was it hundreds, maybe thousands, of calls and letters from a public demanding that something be done? Hardly. "We had a letter from the county medical society that something should be considered," Dixon said. The board received 10 letters and a couple of e-mails, he said. "Obviously, some of the people are advocates. Sometimes advocates take a polar approach to things." No kidding. Dixon agrees that this potential expansion of governmental intrusion could lead to a smoking ban in every home. "This gets to my own personal beliefs," he said. "I always had, and always will have, reservations about regulating personal behavior. People have a right to make poor choices. Their rights should not be trampled on too much. "That is one of my problems. Do we have the authority, legally and morally, to tell people what they can do in their own homes, including private clubs?" Dixon sounds as if he could be a libertarian. As with so many other threats to the individual -- always in the name of the public good or to protect children -- the devil is in the premise. If you are not free to enjoy your possessions and your property as you wish, whether it be your car, business or residence, then they really aren't yours. Although you might not want to use that argument to justify not making your monthly mortgage payment. Ten letters and two e-mails are all it took to start the process. This might be a good time to recall an aphorism generally attributed to Edmund Burke, an Irish political philosopher who some regard as the "father" of modern conservatism. "All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing." Dixon does not think the board is anxious to do anything precipitously. "It is not a short-term imminent process," he said. But will any good men do anything to stop it?
Could Smoking Be Banned In Pittsburgh?
Committee Formed To Study Proposal Trisha Pittman
May 5, 2005 PITTSBURGH -- The Allegheny County Health Department announced Thursday that it will form a committee to determine whether or not smoking should be banned in area bars and restaurants. Florida, California, New York, and various cities and counties across the country have already implemented a ban on smoking. 13 states have a ban on smoking in restaurants. Maryland and South Dakota do allow smoking in restaurant bars. Seven states, including New York, have banned smoking in stand-alone bars. Bans are even popping up in private workplaces. The County Health Department is looking to take a fair and balanced approach to this controversial issue. Restaurant and bar owners like Richard Rattner, of the William Penn Tavern in Shadyside, fear the ban will be detrimental to business. The legality of the ban with the county has come into question before, although that may no longer be an issue as the state is considering legislation of its own. http://www.wpxi.com/ |
