Council decides against restaurant smoking ban
The City Council decided today not to enforce a smoking ban in outdoor dining areas, citing concerns of negative impacts on local restaurants. Council members Sam Spagnolo, Dennis Michael and Diane Williams were concerned such restrictions would be too stringent on businesses that rely on sales generated from outdoor patios.
Williams said the government should not be the one to decide whether restaurant-goers can smoke in outdoor patios.
"I think every restaurant should have a choice, especially in these economic times," Williams said.
But Mayor Don Kurth disagreed.
"We should have the courage to advance this argument and make this city a safer place," Kurth said. "Smokers have a right to smoke but they don't have the right to expose others to lethal health risks.
"I think it's important to protect the people who may not have a say so -- like children."
Councilman Rex Gutierrez did not attend the special meeting.
> "I think it's important to protect the people who may not have
> a say so -- like children."
Astonishingly, Mayor Kurth, there are such entities commonly referred to as "parents" that are rather capable of making decisions regarding outdoor dining options (and the health impacts thereof) on behalf of their children. Amazing but true.
Granted, there is a philosophy gaining ground in some quarters wherein everyone is treated as if they were a child, with government taking on the role of a parent.
Anyhow, yes... Having seen a number of restaurants fold in our fair city over the last couple of years, I do believe it would be a phenomenally stupid mistake to do anything to make it even more difficult for them to attract paying customers. Then again, as a believer in personal responsibility, I would say the same even if the economy were sound.
- Jeff (a non-smoker, FWIW)
Hey where was wrecks stocking up on cigs for jail?
i smoked 2 packs a day as a teenager, now i smoke less but i am old and wrinkled. help me
Williams said the government should not be the one to decide whether restaurant-goers can smoke in outdoor patios.
Amen!
The socialist want to be taken care of from cradle to grave. They want rules & regulations. They are societies "natural slaves".
They want to kill FREEDOM and take away free will and rights.
I think Benjamin Franklin said it best,
"They that can give up essential liberty to purchase a little temporary safety, deserve neither liberty nor safety."
when will smoking be allowed at the paul biane library?
Dear Mayor Kurth, Can you please help protect the health of residents by minimizing their exposure to Wrecks Gutierrez?
dude!