Why 2 Councilmen Changed Their Votes on Smoking Ban

What difference can four years make? For the City of Goose Creek, it's the difference between the 2009 failed no-smoking ordinance and the recently passed no-smoking ordinance.

The 2009 ordinance failed 3-4, and 2013 ordinance passed 4-3. The ordinance goes into effect July 1. 

Two councilmembers changed their votes from the 2009 vote. Councilman John McCants voted for the previous ordinance and voted against the 2013 ordinance, and Councilman Jerry Tekac voted against the 2009 ordinance and voted for the recent one. 

Their change in votes didn't directly cause the ordinance to pass — the addition of Councilman Franklin Moore, who replaced Councilman Sal Gandolfo in the 2012 race, did. Gandolfo voted against the ordinance in 2009. But while they didn't vote the same, the reason why they changed their vote is the same: more information. 

"Last time we didn't have a workshop," McCants said. "We just need to communciate more about things before we start bringing it to the public."

Tekac said, "City Council did not have much of an opportunity to review the ordinance prior to voting on it."

More time for the recent ordinance meant McCants he heard from more constituents and businesses who were against the ordinance.

Tekac said he "was torn back in 2009" but changed his mind because "banning smoking falls into providing a safe and healthy environment to not only the patrons but the employees."