Pubdate: Sun, 05 Aug 2012
Source: Galesburg Register-Mail (IL)
Copyright: 2012 Galesburg Register-Mail
Contact: http://www.register-mail.com/news/letters/index.html
Website: http://www.galesburg.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3864
Author: Joe Ward

POT ORDINANCE COMES TO VOTE MONDAY

2 aldermen still undecided on measure

GALESBURG - Though the debate over a proposed ordinance to allow
Galesburg police to ticket for small amounts of marijuana is already
three weeks old, a consensus on the issue hasn't been reached. The
ordinance will come to a vote Monday, and two council members - who
told The Register-Mail Friday they were still on the fence - will cast
the deciding vote.

A proposed ordinance that would allow police to issue a $500 ticket
for those found with 2.5 grams or less of marijuana was met with
spirited opposition from the public and some city council members July
16, at the city council's first reading on the ordinance.

Aldermen Ken Goad, Ward 1, Wayne Dennis, Ward 2, and Wayne Allen, Ward
6, have all said they will vote against the ordinance. Jeremy Karlin,
Ward 7, proposed the ordinance and has been its vocal proponent.
Corine Anderson, Ward 4, could not be reached Friday, but council
members said they believed she was a supporter of the item, and
comments she made during the first reading seem to affirm their
belief. Russell Fleming, Ward 3, said he would support it under
certain conditions.

That leaves Peter Schwartzman, Ward 5, who on Friday said he has yet
to make up his mind on the marijuana ordinance. He said he has heard
from a few constituents, who mostly disapproved of the item.
Schwartzman added that he hopes to hear from more citizens before
Monday, and that their input will sway his decision.

"I've heard a bit more from citizens against than in favor," he said.
"I'm waiting to see what happens between now and the meeting and I'm
waiting to see what happens at the meeting."

Schwartzman added that ticketing nor jailing are appropriate remedies
to the growing problem of drug use in society. He said jail time is
unfair and that a $500 fine for about a joint's worth of marijuana is
excessive.

"Neither is facing the issue," he said.

Fleming also said he would like to see the $500 reduced to $300, and
he also would like a clause saying that Galesburg would legalize
marijuana if the state legalized the drug. He said that his vote is
"quite possibly" hinging on whether these amendments are made.

One of the primary concerns of citizens was that ticketing for some
marijuana possession would lead to a perception that the drug is not
harmful and acceptable to use. Studies on the issue have shown that
marijuana use does not increase in cities that ticket for possession.

Still, some parents say having harsh penalties on the books is an
effective deterrant to use, although numbers show that persons found
with small amounts of marijuana rarely see jail time or other strict
punishment.

Wayne Dennis was on vacation during the council's first reading of the
ordinance, but said he taped the lively debate and watched it later.
He said that if he were to favor the ordinance, he would have a hard
time reprimanding his granddaughters if they got caught with the drug.
On these and other grounds, Dennis said he would vote against the ordinance.

"They come over swimming a lot, and if I saw them puffing on something
illegal, I'd be pretty mad," Dennis said. "But how would I respond if
they say to me, 'well, you OK'd it through the city?'"

Wayne said he asked the city to bring various amounts of marijuana to
Monday's meeting so that less experienced council members can visually
comprehend how much 2.5 grams is. City Manager Todd Thompson said
marijuana will not be brought to the meeting, but that council members
will be able to stop by the police department to inspect different
amounts of marijuana.

At least 44 communities in Illinois have passed similar ordinances,
including Chicago, whose 15 gram threshold takes effect this weekend.

The city administration has not made a recommendation on this agenda
item, saying instead that this is a matter of policy and not their
place to interject. Mayor Sal Garza did not want to comment on how he
thinks the vote will turn out Monday, but said he was thankful the
public is willing to engage with the city on this controversial topic.

"We're open on this particular item, but I do know and respect the
fact that people have very strong opinions on this particular item,"
he said.
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