Posted on 03/18/2006 1:31:15 PM PST by SheLion
BURLINGTON, Vt. --The Veterans of Foreign Wars post in Hyde Park is defying a 6-month-old state law and will allow members to smoke in a private section of the club.
Sign up for: Globe Headlines e-mail | Breaking News Alerts VFW Post 7779 Commander Bruce Martin, a nonsmoker, said he was one of those who voted to allow smoking. The issue was more than cigarettes.
"These people are sick of the state taking away our private rights," he said.
Immediately after club members voted 7-4 Tuesday night to bring back smoking a number of members lit up.
VFW auxiliary member Robin Ferris filed a complaint Wednesday with the Vermont Health Department.
Ferris who used to work in the VFW said that when she worked there she suffered frequent respiratory ailments and her clothes smelled of smoke.
"I don't want to be affiliated with the kind of organization that breaks state law," Ferris said.
Health Department Spokesman Robert Stirewalt said he was unaware of the complaint.
He said when a complaint is filed a staff member is sent to investigate.
Stirewalt said there have been a handful of complaints since the law took effect in September and all have been settled voluntarily.
Martin said members would decide what to do if the Health Department investigated Ferris's complaint.
"I imagine we'll fight it," he said.
Organizations that refuse to comply can be fined up to $10,000 or each offense.
"Obviously, we're hoping that's not the case" with the VFW, Stirewalt said.
VT: Elks Vote No On Smoking Ban.
Elks Vote No On Smoking Ban Burlington, Vermont -- June 18, 2004 Several states and cities have enacted smoking bans in bars and restaurants, but in Burlington the prohibition does not apply to private clubs. One of those clubs, the Elks, considered a voluntary smoking ban Thursday night. Elks Exalted Ruler Moe Decelles told Channel 3 News that the members defeated the voluntary smoking ban on a vote of 125-45, an almost three-to-one margin. Decelles says smoking is allowed at the Elks bar and lounge, but an existing no smoking policy will continue in a separate room used for functions.
Good for them.
He could have said "We've fought Nazi's before, it don't matter what shore they're on, we'll fight'em again.
good
Good luck to the VFW!
This is a good sign. Until the sheeple start defying the insanity it will only continue...as we have seen.
As a physician, I would be the last to encourage anyone to smoke, but of all the obnoxious and self-destructive behavior the government protects, even encourages, as a "right," smoking seems a strange one to get puritanical about.
I'm not quite sure what you are trying to say here. 
I imagine he means it. We may be required to send lawyers, guns, and money to these guys.
/johnny
Ferris who used to work in the VFW said that when she worked there she suffered frequent respiratory ailments and her clothes smelled of smoke.
"I don't want to be affiliated with the kind of organization that breaks state law," Ferris said.
Nice of 'em to identify the troublemaker. Hopefully, she will be the object of community scorn.
Not sure of his point ????
Here's a hint: "Brokebutt Mount'em". . .
Well, "faggotry" might be one, ya think?
FMCDH(BITS)
I sure hope so as well. Can you see the likes of old prissy nose down in the trenches fighting a war? LOL!
Maybe that's exactly what she needed!
"VFW auxiliary member Robin Ferris filed a complaint Wednesday with the Vermont Health Department.
Ferris who used to work in the VFW said that when she worked there she suffered frequent respiratory ailments and her clothes smelled of smoke."
Hitler loved these folks... gave them brown shirts to show his appreciation...
"He could have said 'We've fought Nazi's before, it don't matter what shore they're on, we'll fight'em again.'"
Yes! I love it! :)
Wow. I've got to send this on to my local Talk Radio ConservaBabe. She's a total supporter of VFWs around here. Maybe she can tackle our Madison Smoking Ban from this angle?
I'll let Dave Wiganowsky know, too. ;)
Private clubs vs commercial business and public venues will win IMO..... Remember we had this conversation a few months ago. Surprised every restaurant and bar hasn't charged a 1 dollar a year "membership" to their patrons to counter such BS bitch' n whine laws.
As ya know I do not smoke but am angered by these type of laws that make choices "for" me and mine......I reserve the right to choose. I don't like something I don't go there, or spend my money on it. I don't need some socialist polidiot telling me what when and where for my own good.
Doom on em....
Stay safe Shelion !
Now see the green ecoweenie and the insurance-company puke engaging in profit-enhancing mass behavior-mod BS telling the veterans they can't light up.
Screw the weenies and the pukes in suits. The smoking lamp is lit, guys. Light 'em if you got 'em.
"I don't want to be affiliated with the kind of organization that breaks state law," Ferris said.
Robin "the fink" Ferris has spoken!!
I think that's the fun part of it for a lot of these do-gooders. They get to flaunt their (self-proclaimed) moral superiority.
Something I read somewhere:
Q. What good are smokers, anyway?
A. They give people of no merit a reason to feel good about themselves.
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