Academy of Local Politics

Banning cell phones while driving makes sense to me. The reason being is that a distracted driver can do great bodily harm to another while being distracted. After all they are in control of a large machine going at speeds capable of doing great damage.

But, every good idea has to be taken to extremes by somebody. Enter State Rep. Kenneth Dunkin (D-Chicago).

Representative Dunkin has introduced a bill in the Illinois Assembly which would make it illegal to talk on a cell phone while crossing a street. Yes, it would be illegal to walk and talk.

So, what does the Mayor of the largest city in Illinois think?

Mayor Daley has often said he's not a fan of government intruding into people's lives, but he did not slam the door Wednesday on the controversial proposal.

"People have to understand, a lot of people are getting injured and killed by cars in pedestrian walks," the mayor said. "It's a safety factor. So, like anything else, you have to use common sense if you're walking across."

Common sense?

Lawmakers now believe they can legislate "common sense"... and fine violators for not using "common sense".

Oh My...talk about dangerous...Legislating Common Sense.

According to Governing.Com ... "New stats in Washington, D.C., suggest that drivers are largely ignoring the District's three-year-old ban on using hand-held phones while driving."

The number of citations are up 13% this year, after a raise last year of about the same percentage. Over 10,000 tickets will be issued in D.C. this year.

But is this a surprise? When New York City first instituted a similar ban, cell-phone use by drivers dropped by 50 percent. But the numbers steadily increased after that, even as the number of citations increased as well. 

It seems absolutely nothing will stop these selfish, self-absorbed menaces of the roads from stopping talking while driving.

"Should cities and states drop these laws that aren't being enforced or followed? Or should they, for example, increase fines to make this a more serious offense?"

As for me, I'm all for increasing fines for this offense.

Double ... Triple the fines ... or more!

Generate enough revenue ... to add more officers on the roads ... to write more tickets.

Go For It!!!

No sense holding out hope, there is none.
The proposed Hand Held Cell Phone Ban is dead.
It will lose tonight on a 6-2 vote.
Only Lillian Mishmash and Mai Vang still support the ban.
I don't even think I do anymore.

Let's Review.
The following  were my factors which led me to propose the hand held cell phone ban while driving.

Factors Leading into the decision (Jan. 30, 2007)

1. My firm belief we have a cell phone/driving problem.

               We still do. But, more on that later.

2. Emotions run high on both sides of the issues. 

               Still does!

3. A very solid base of my supporters are business people,
   who would be the most vocal group in opposition to this ban. 

               At the time I had no idea how true this would become.

4. A ban on the use of hand held cell phones while driving may be a workable compromise at this time.

               Note, I used the word "may" be a workable compromise at this time.
               That was true on January 30, but no longer.

5. This would require an ordinance change needing 6 of the 8 votes of the City Council. (3/4 vote)
    (A tie vote does me no good as I can't be a tie-breaker)

                 
This is how it went down.
The Chamber of Commerce got involved.
Roger Deal used a page out of my own play book,
Moving Mountains & Molehills Local Politics 101
and went an found himself some "friends".

Remember, I said the business people were the most vocally opposed.
The Chamber was concerned being an "island" of no cell phones,
we would end up giving tickets to business people who do not live here,
but are doing work here.

Did we want to possibly become, instead of a "speed trap" city,
a "cell phone ban trap" city?

I didn't have a good argument against that.
No, I did not want Common Senseville to become a "cell phone ban trap" city.

But, it still does nothing to solve our problem of inattentive driving due,  to cell phone use.

So, the CommonSenseville.US Tourism Commission is going to be placing new signage,
at every entrance to the city (there's 14 of them).

It is a subtle little sign attached to  the Welcome sign,
that will say

Please!  (with a picture of a cell phone and steering wheel, inside a circle with line).

It's something.
It will be seen every day by thousands.
Reminding them talking and driving is a bad idea.
It's something.

Sometimes, that is all you end up getting.
But, that is better than nothing.
It was a good fight.

Mayor Al

You are probably wondering what is going on
with some of the issues in the old home town, aren't you?
Time for a Weekend Update!

Here goes.

The proposed hand held cell phone ban goes to Council on Tuesday.
It won't be close. The ban won't pass.
Unless a miracle occurs between now and Tuesday.
Be lucky to get votes.
I'll fill you in after the vote.
-----------------------------
What's happening with the idea of purchasing life insurance policies to fund the city?
The City Administrator (Dick Orator) is looking into it.
Actually he found another City Administrator,
 who was instructed by his Mayor to also look into it.
So, I think they are working together on it.
Hope so.

Dick told me he had heard of this before,
but only for "capital projects", not operating revenue.

I'm not expecting an immediate response.
When I get a response,
I expect it to be complete however.

I'll keep you updated. This could become very interesting?

-------------------------------------
Bird Flu Preparation.
You were hoping this was going to go away?
So was I.
But, it ain't.

I've exchanged emails with Brendanne Phillips author of Escape the Bird Flu.
I had some "expense questions" to ask her and I was impressed with her follow up.
A more in depth post on this issue will be coming soon.
-------------------------
Oh Angell. Public TV. What to do?
The public's input on this issue was deafening.
Or, at least so quiet, it seemed like it was deafening.

I'm thinking. I'm still thinking.
I'm going to come up with something.
I just don't know yet.
It could be this week.
It could be next month.
It could be next year.
But, eventually, I will try something.

Not that you care.

We are off to see the Grandkids later today.
Be back in the office mid-Monday.

Mayor Al

It's been a while since I've updated you on the proposed hand held cell phone ban.

There is a reason for that. There hasn't been anything to report.

It's been drug out for almost six weeks now.
It gets tiring talking about an issue like this constantly.
It's not that exciting of an issue.
Important, but not exciting!!!!

One of the teachings in Moving Mountains and Molehllls Local Politics 101
is to some times just "back off" for a while. So, everyone has.

Now there is news.

One of the "on the fence, leaning no vote" members of the Council, Rance Rust,
stopped in my office this morning. Last time I had talked with Rance he was leaning "no". He just didn't think this was a road he wanted to travel.

Today, Rance explained in more detail his thoughts.
He considers himself a guardian of private property rights.
This just didn't fit with his political philosophy.
He knew there was a problem, but not convinced this was the best solution.

So, as of now. The straw vote stands 5 yes, 3 no. 
Need 6 for passage.

It's still an eternity in local government. 
A lot can happen in 12 days.

Mayor Al