Posted on 04/13/2005 6:50:55 PM PDT by tahiti
Dear Mr. Glennon:
Thank you for sending your written comments. You can be assured that I will read them and consider them as we move forward with this process. You will note that I brought my proposal before the Justice and Health Committee—not the full Council, so that we could have the opportunity to take evidence and information regarding the public health concerns. I have my beliefs based upon the research I have done, but I also understand that any decision, if one is reached, will be the result of consensus and agreement, not one person’s individual opinion and belief. The hearings the Committee has conducted have that very purpose, i.e., to receive and review information. I expect the Committee will make a recommendation after having reviewed the information presented to it over the past several weeks, as well as the individual observations of Council members as we move forward. Everyone has the right to his or her beliefs, even if a person happens to be an elected official. I can assure you that any action taken by me will not be based upon personal preference or opinion, but on the information that if before the Council. While there may be a disagreement among persons as to what constitutes a public health risk, but there can be no disagreement that within St. Louis County, County Government has the authority and indeed the obligation to address public health issues.
Please be assured that your complete statement will be included as part of the record before the Justice and Health Committee. I will consider your statement along with the other testimony and information presented to the committee. Thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts.
Kurt Odenwald
Councilman, Fifth District
btt
Put me on a ping list if you have one please. Great post!
Jack Glennon for President!
They get to smoke for free? I don't smoke, so I don't know how much cigarettes cost, but you cannot beat free.
Unless perhaps they meant "smoke-free," which is quite a different concept.
For the love of God, alleged writers, use the hyphen! Don't make your readers work for your meaning - write it yourself, dammit!
(Man, that ticks me off.)
Outstanding post. Just excellent.
Obviously, I will adapt your legal arguments for Minnesota.
Take a look at this! It is wonderful, just wonderful!
After you read it, you might want to notify your ping list.
I hate to be a cynic, but I'm betting your very well written and documented letter will NOT be read, it will NOT be considered, it will just be dropped in a drawer without further consideration, and sadly, YOU will be labeled a crank.
This is the legal argument that was used to justify the Counties passing an ordinance banning smoking in the Twin Cities of Minnesota. Amazing how these same legal arguments have been shared between Counties.
The ability to hold the members of the County personally and legally liable for damages, is outstanding.
It's FOR THE CHILLLLRUN, IT'S PUBLIC SAFETY! WHO could say no to PUBLIC SAFETY?
If you haven't read 1984 lately, do so. Public safety is the foot in the door towards making you a little pink rat in a cage.
If the city government could present me with a search warrant, then they are more than welcome inside of my home. Until then, I refused to allow them into my home.
Other than protesting, until I had a personal loss, I did not have a "just cause" to file a legal challenge. The day that I had to pay a $100 (per month) fine for not allowing them into my home, was the day that I danced with joy.
I was so happy about paying that fine, that I kissed the city clerk on the cheek. I then had her make several photo-copies of my check for the amount of $100.
Sometime, you need to stand up and simply say: NO!
P.S. The city refunded all of my money....
Beat me to it!
This citizen is standing up, and absolutely refuses to obey these ordinances. I simply smoke anywhere that I wish now days, and ignore the "no smoking" signs posted in public (privately owned) businesses.
Please, fine me for being in violation, since I need "legal cause" to bring it to court.
Jack is a man after my own heart. I have often wondered when someone would stand up and say that the government has no right to tell a property owner whether they can allow someone to consume a legal product.
They'll be happy to collect billions in taxes, then instead of thanking you for paying more than your fair share in taxes, the send you out into the cold, into the rain, into the snow. I don't know about you, but if smokers weren't paying so much in taxes, we would all be paying more....Thank you smokers, and I feel sorry for you.
Thanks for the ping!
As you stated, you have the personal ability to decide where you wish to be. If you do not desire to be around smokers, then you have the ability to stay in a non-smoking area. It is your choice.
"Smoke Free." Cigarettes will never be free.
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