Mr. Surmak's argument would be stronger if it wasn't for the fact that the St. Paul Ban didn't even stop smoking in 50 percent of the drinking establishments in St. Paul. There are a lot more than a "small number of bars" open to smoking. Plus, although I have no proof, I am guessing some of the bars are playing fast and loose with their alcohol v. food sales as I can't for the life of me figure out how Billy's Bar on Grand Avenue can get by as a "smoking bar."
Dean E. Carlson East Harriet, Ward 10 ----- Original Message ----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Date: Wednesday, November 16, 2005 1:43 pm Subject: [Mpls] Candidates who Question or Equivocate on Smoking Ban are Defeated? > The smoking ban dynamics are not hard to figure out....80% of voting adults in Minnesota don't smoke, and are most likely to support a complete ban and resist any attempts to revisit the issue. Personally, I think a total ban on smoking is a crock and a violation of privacy rights; I think the partial ban in St. Paul is reasonable, with a small number of "bars" still open to the smoking public. These establishments are far fewer in number than their non-smoking counterparts, and offer the remaining 20% an option, albeit a limited one. Anyone who doesn't want to sit in a smoky environment can stay away; people who don't want to work in this environment will have a wide selection of non-smoking food/beverage establishments to work in (the idea that a handful of smoking bars will discriminate or restrict anyone's employment opportunities in this town is just plain stupid). I think this compromise is very reasonable, and hope St Paul's policy doesn't change, and Minneapolis/Hennepin Co. revisit their restrictive policy. > > Peter Surmak > Linden Hills REMINDERS: 1. Be civil! Please read the NEW RULES at http://www.e-democracy.org/rules. If you think a member is in violation, contact 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 Civil City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:mpls@mnforum.org Subscribe, Un-subscribe, etc. at: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
