Quigley, Claypool on Opposite Sides of Smoking Debate
It appears that there may be a difference -- a big one -- between the two Democratic reform candidates in the Cook County Board President's race.
On Tuesday, Commissioner Mike Quigley announced plans for Cook County to eliminate secondhand smoke from public places, including bars and restaurants. The county ordinance would parallel the city of Chicago's new measure. Here's what Quigley said:
"If California can go smoke free, if New York City can go smoke free, then I think Chicago and Cook County should follow that lead. We should do it for your children and our children's children as well," said Mike Quigley, Cook County commissioner.Self-proclaimed environmentalist and health care advocate Forrest Claypool isn't among the majority of county board members supporting a ban though, according to the Daily Southtown. While even John Stroger, Quigley's other primary opponent, is leaning toward a ban and offered Quigley's staff help in drafting a proposal, Claypool indicated he believes regulation is unnecessary, and public health should be left to market forces. Here's what Claypool told the Southtown:
"I think the marketplace has to determine this," said Forrest Claypool (D-Chicago). "A lot of consumers want to avoid smoking, and there are businesses that cater to them."Who's right in this debate, and how will it affect the March Primary, if at all?
13 comments:
This will not be a significant issue in the race for County Board president. What will be decisive is if Claypool and Quigley can get together and decide on who stays in the race (the other man would likely be a candidate to replace John Daleey as County Board Finance Committee Chairman if things work out). If they both stay in the race, Stroger wins the primary, and both Claypool and Quigley will be labelled as "spoilers." It's as simple as that.
All the above are very good comments. I think it is somewhat disengenuous for the county to eagerly rely on the Cigarette Tax revenue on the one hand and yet outlaw smoking in Cook County on the other. I am all for a smoke free environment, but I am uncomfortable with Quigley teaming up with Stroger on this one. According to the Chicago Tribune, Quigley is having trouble collecting signatures. Any further reference of Quigley and Stroger working together will fuel the rumors that Quigley is the spoiler and doing Stroger a favor.
Sammy, you make good points.
Anon 3:50 -- I don't think anyone is going to accuse Quigley and Stroger of being political allies, but I'm sure Quigley appreciates the advice. I'm sure Quigley and Claypool are both expecting to have their petitions challenged by Stroger, so both campaigns are smart to get as many signatures as they can. Quigley's giving his volunteers another week, and Claypool just updated his website Monday to try to hire even more canvassers.
I'm not sure I agree with Quigley's point in the Tribune that being on the bottom of the list is that much better than being in the middle, but in a world where millionaire athletes don't cut their hair for fear of interrupting a winning streak, I'm not going to quibble with Quigley.
What SHOULD be an issue is Quigley's decision to co-sponsor the last cigarette tax increase and use the money to bail out the bloated budget as opposed to dedicating funding for smoking cessation programs. He stood strongly by "reformers" throughout the debate until the cigarette tax provided a relief valve AND provided more money for runaway spending.
anonymous 5:06,
If you're going to flat-out lie, you'd be wiser to choose a topic that cannot be researched in 10 seconds using Google.
Observant readers will notice that Quigley's name is NOWHERE TO BE FOUND among the sponsors of the 2004 cigarette tax hike:
http://cookctyclerk.com/html/022304orddoc.htm
For a fuller version of what transpired, try this link: http://tinyurl.com/e4r44
A quick skim will show that Quigley had his name removed from the ordinance once it was clear it was a tax hike and voted IN FAVOR of using the increased cigarette tax funds for smoking cessation programs.
As a Quigley supporter, I fervently hope you are part of Claypool's "crack" research team, 5:06. By the way, your pants are on fire.
The only things this shows is how far Larry Suffredin's hand reaches into his Forrest Claypool ventriloquist doll. Suffredin is the restauranteurs' biggest lobbyist (no pun intended). All he is doing is getting Claypool to parrot his position on the Board.
You might as well stop all this "reformers vs. old-timeers" nonsense. Suffredin, Claypool, Quigley AND Stroger all got their jobs and careers through the same system. This is purely about who gets to run the place, not some high-mided "reform" agenda.
Those of you who are hoping for some idealistic changes will be sorely disappointed once Mr. Suffredin runs the County. It's all about the money. Claypool doesn't believe in County government and Suffredin want to get all the spoils of what will be left for his friends and cronies.
Maybe they'll let Dick Phelan and Bob Creamer run the place from behind bars--what an improvement.
On top of the fact that Quigley doesn't have the money or the troops to win a county wide race, he's simply an unlikable weasel that nobody can trust. If he stays in the presidential race, and I doubt that he will, it will be only for him to gain name recognition for whatever other position he already has his eye on. If Claypool (and Suffredin) can't convince Quigley to get out of this race, then we Cook County taxpayers will be stuck for four more years with a man who was past his time two terms ago. Any truth to the rumor that Quigley will have to deal with a strong candidate for his district seat?
3:06 a.m.,
No, there is no truth to that rumor. Is there any truth to the rumor that Claypool eats babies?
Unless you are an insider for the Quigley campaign, you have no idea how much money or how many volunteers they have, do you?
And you also do not know Quigley at all personally, either, or you would know that he has no interest in an office higher than president of the county board. None.
Swamp gas escaping from a stagnant pond has more interesting (and accurate!) things to say than you do. Were you the brilliant analyst who brought us the 5:06 p.m. comment as well?
Well, I just decided to take a Republican ballot in the primary for the first time ever.
I was a solid Claypool supporter until I read that comment. If it truly reflects his views, then he doesn't deserve to be considered a pro-healthcare candidate. He just lost my vote, my financial support, and my respect.
insider is correct. Quigley turned down offers to run for State Treasurer and ignored offers to run for Sheriff. The only power Quigley wants is the power to clean up John Stroger's mess.
As a former Quigley volunteer, I can promise you that I will never vote for him again. A lesson in respect and simple thank yous to volunteers and Quigley would probably have a couple hundred more people working on his campaign.
anonymous 11:39, I call "bull$hit." I find it very hard to believe that you were at any time a Quigley volunteer.
Why? Because I have been in the room with Quigley many times for various types of gatherings, and though he doesn't gush platitudes, I have never seen him evince any rudeness or disrespect (unless someone was behaving in a way such that most would agree a response was needed) or be stingy with thank-yous.
Pat, despite my vigorous disagreement with you on many issues, particularly those related to this race, I appreciate your kind remarks. Thank you.
Sammy-
When did they move the 47th Ward to the Lakefront -- or did they move the lake? :-)
Quigley is the guy who actually represents most of the lakefront, Actually from Division to Hollywood Blvd, I believe.
And yes, he's got grocery stores, but he's also blessed with all of those lovely Lakefront senior highrises.
Post a Comment