As someone said, it's probably a seasonal issue. For half of the year, most people in Minneapolis keep their windows closed and don't hear most of what is happening in their neighborhood anyway. At that same time of year, its cold enough to discourage people from standing around outside and smoking anyway.
When spring comes and people open their windows, police calls go up. People hear things that they haven't been hearing, such a stuff blowing in the wind, and call the cops. Its just like people who forget how to drive in the snow and make the first snowfall of the year a traffic mess. I thought we were encouraging people to get out and enjoy the night time venues that this community has to offer. A stroll down the street in my neighborhood suggests that people are doing just that. Now we don't want people to go outside? Huh? If its litter, put out a trash can, or a large ornamental ash tray. I think most business owners try to keep the area outside their business reasonably clean. Littering is illegal. If it becomes a problem outside some establishments there are a number of existing ways to deal with it. Personally I'm not convinced that banning smoking in bars and resturants will lead to a big increase in littering. Being outside is not illegal. Being outside does not harm anyone. It seems as there are a few people who are getting to worked up about nothing. Terrell Brown Loring Park REMINDERS: 1. Think a member has violated the rules? Email the list manager at [EMAIL PROTECTED] before continuing it on the list. 2. Don't feed the troll! Ignore obvious flame-bait. For state and national discussions see: http://e-democracy.org/discuss.html For external forums, see: http://e-democracy.org/mninteract ________________________________ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Un-subscribe, etc. at: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
