That's great the Hennepin County wants to protect Public Health, but
what about the 6 other counties in the metro area? There is no way that
this ban will be a good thing for Minneapolis until all seven counties
ban smoke, or it's done on a State level. As the ban stands Minneapolis
and the county will continue to bleed money... not only is this bad for
business but it also means losing tax revenue. Tax in Minneapolis on
liquor is what, 12.5%? And isn't there a Downtown restaurant tax as
well? This ban won't really hurt the TGI Fridays and the Applebees and
the Olive Gardens... it's hurting the local, small businesses that are
unique and give the city character. That's the worst part.
The one thing I've noticed is that the major complainers are the
bar-owners who themselves smoke and want to be able to >>continue to do
so during working hours.
So a business owner wants to smoke in the place they own... They own
it. I just don't believe that the bar and restaurant owners that are
complaining are all smokers, nor do I think they're making up the 40%
+/- drop in sales which must be implied. If you've been out lately or
have friends in the service industry then you'd know things are slower.
I think you do have some responsibility to support the restaurants and
bars if you're going to support this ban. Also, it's not just bars that
are suffering as you suggested; it's also coffee shops and restaurants.
Let them start serving more food and marketing themselves as
smokefree vintage watering holes.
I work in advertising and marketing and it's definitely not a cheap
thing just to do. I talk to a lot of these owners and they can't just
expand their kitchens or add a kitchen. Often they can't add patio
space either. So on top of hurting their bottom line you expect them to
just come up with thousands of dollars to totally revamp what just a
short time ago was a successful business? And of course they want to
sell liquor, the profit margin is higher. Perhaps, you want to do away
with liquor and bars entirely for the public health benefit? Oh I think
that happened once already.
Often people argue that it's for the health of the servers and
waitstaff, but I've really not seen them in this debate. I've not seen
servers or bartenders pushing for this. Also, I think most would prefer
to have a job and tips and deal with the smoke until there is a better
solution.
My main point is this: I believe eventually this ban will happen
Statewide. That's what people who support it should focus on because as
it stands now it's not really helping Minneapolis.
Matthew Philip
The Wedge
-----Original Message-----
From: Andy Driscoll <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: Minneapolis Issues <[email protected]>
Sent: Thu, 28 Jul 2005 21:51:20 -0500
Subject: [Mpls] Mpls] How quickly we get used to a smoke-free
environment
Perhaps you'd like to tell us how citizens could patronize every
complaining
bar and restaurant in order to sustain the same rate of alcohol sales
they
enjoyed when smokers consumed the stuff at twice the rate. What do we
do?
Start a weekly caravan to cover all the whining bar owners who make
their
living off the interdependent addictions of drinkers and smokers?
It's impossible to support every business suffering from the drop in
sales
of alcohol (not food) simply to justify retaining the smoking ban. Let
them
start serving more food and marketing themselves as smokefree vintage
watering holes. But don't expect that simply more patronage of small,
local
alcohol vendors could possibly satisfy them. The one thing I've noticed
is
that the major complainers are the bar-owners who themselves smoke and
want
to be able to continue to do so during working hours.
It is not the government's business to protect every small business when
balanced against the larger public health issues. Gail Dorfman has it
right:
it's the Hennepin County Board's job to protect the public health, not
the
economic wherewithal of every small business operating in the county.
Peter
McLaughlin best remember that, and not pander to labor-inspired lobbying
against the ban.
Andy Driscoll
Saint Paul
--
The price of apathy towards public affairs is to be ruled by evil men:
Plato
From: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Date: Thu, 28 Jul 2005 10:25:53 -0400
To: <[email protected]>
Subject: Re: [Mpls] How quickly we get used to a smoke-free
environment
I would suggest that since all the non-smokers are SO enthralled with
this ban then they should support these businesses that are
suffering... You should go out more and drink more and eat more. Then
they'd have nothing to complain about, but if you're not willing to
spend your money then you should be prepared for the ban to be
repealed, at least partially... I have a feeling though that those
that
REALLY support this ban probably aren't really the ones that go out
that much anyway.
Personally, I have no issue with not smoking at a restaurant. However,
when I'm at a bar I'd rather be able to light up at will. I think it
definitely was a bad idea for the county or city to do patch work ban
with some cities with the ban and others without it. I've been to St
Paul several times more than before and I even ventured out to Anoka
County a couple of times. Really, if you want the ban then you should
convince the legislature to pass the ban. It won't be effective and it
will just hurt businesses until it's a statewide thing.
Oh, right after the ban I also saw small children and babies in bars
that I'd never seen them at before... That was annoying.
I'm undecided in the Mayoral race, but if McLaughlin does the smart
thing here he actually would win a few points in my book.
Speaking of McLaughlin, I tried to send him an email recently at the
email on his campaign website. I got bounced back saying his mail box
was full... Anyone else have trouble contacting him?
Matthew Philip
The Wedge
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PROTECTED] before continuing it on the list.
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E-Democracy
Post messages to: mailto:[email protected]
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