(Jan. 30, 2009) -- 1st dist. Council candidate Robert Garcia emails the following in response to his campaign (to Dec. 31, 2008) reported first earlier today (Jan. 30) on LBReport.com:
First, I want to note that a majority of people who donated to the campaign are donors of $100 or less. These are community leaders, neighbors and friends.
I also appreciate the large contributions of the Police & Firefighter Associations and other contributors. I am thankful for both the small and large donations.
Those that are donating money are signing onto my agenda, not the other way around.
And since you brought up the issue of the smoking ordinance, I want be clear that I am not a smoker, never have been, and strongly support keeping our beaches, parks and public spaces smoke free. I also support the expansion of the current smoking boundaries around public buildings and spaces.
However, if a responsible adult wants to smoke a cigar in a cigar lounge, that is their business and I support the current state law guiding that issue.
I don't go to cigar lounges because I don't smoke. I recieved contributions from a few Cigar Lounge small business owners that I know, not smoking firms or companies.