Frogtown Has Always Been At War With Swede Hollow, Winston
Mayor Coleman springs into action and tightens the county smoking ban in Saint Paul bars, with the aid of the Gang of Four:
For: Jay Benanav, Lee Helgen, Kathy Lantry and Dave Thune
Against: Dan Bostrom, Pat Harris and Debbie Montgomery
The city is considering establishing a fund to help small businesses make the transition from smoking to nonsmoking.What's the "fund" going to do? Pay non-smokers to come in and drink?
Or have they developed a "profit patch", which breaks bar owners of the habit of needing to make money with their businesses?
This, I'm afraid, is what we can look forward to from the Gang of Four; create an intractable problem, and then toss a band-aid - taxpayer-funded, of course - to try to ameliorate the unintended consequences. Since that's been the Gang of Four's solution to, y'know, everything else.
Opponents of the St. Paul law may seek a citywide referendum that would ask voters to support a partial, rather than total, smoking ban.
Which the Gang of Four will no doubt block.
Mayor Coleman commented:
"It is very important to recognize Council Member Dave Thune and his peers on the City Council for their leadership. … Their efforts … have made the difference in passing this landmark ordinance that will protect the health of St. Paul workers and patrons for years to come."
Your leash is jerking, Mayor Coleman.
Councilman Dan Bostrom - who opposed the ban - said:
"I think adults are capable of making decisions on whether or not to work in or patronize places that allow smoking."
Obviously not, Dan. Nor are they capable of picking their drinks, their food, their schools, or their underwear.
And so Saint Paul's long civic nightmare begins.
Posted by Mitch at
January 12, 2006 06:47 AM
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"And so Saint Paul's long civic nightmare begins."
You're the one who wants to live there. Out here in those evil 'burbs I doubt anyone will have any enthusiasm for this, which is why the Metrocrats are trying to push for a statewide ban. Without it, those of us out here will just get more and more of your money, thank you very much.
Posted by: nerdbert at January 12, 2006 08:37 AMAd I have said of Saint Paul's future:
Most local bars and restaurant closed.
Gang activity bigtime.
Small business leaving.
Welfare expanding.
...but will have a dandy light rail right up Minneapolis's ass....
Welcome to Detroit 2010....
Democraps are nuts beyond belief..
Posted by: Greg at January 12, 2006 10:35 AMWelcome to Detroit 2010....
And Nick Coleman is the man who can get the job done. Just imagine some day in the future when we put up checkpoints on all the bridges crossing the Mississippi.
Posted by: Kermit at January 12, 2006 11:39 AMMan, Coleman didn't waste any time ruining my damned city, did he? Mayor Norm fixed the city, Randy kept it going strong, and now we get Non-Monkey's retarded brother holding the reins. I might have to change my lease to monthly soon...
Posted by: Sean at January 13, 2006 12:22 AMMan, Coleman didn't waste any time ruining my damned city, did he? Mayor Norm fixed the city, Randy kept it going strong, and now we get Non-Monkey's retarded brother holding the reins. I might have to change my lease to monthly soon...
Posted by: Sean at January 13, 2006 12:22 AMDamn it, your site is slow and I double clicked!
Posted by: Sean at January 13, 2006 12:23 AM