New version of Toledo Talk

Toledo bars evade smoking ban - They're celebrating Jerry Lewis's birthday, raising money for someone in need of a kidney transplant, raising money for a horse stable. The bars are "not open" to the public. They're private. Private clubs are exempt from the smoking ban. All sounds good to me. "In bars across Toledo, owners are claiming to be exempt from the city's smoking ban by holding 'private social functions.' Bar owners want an amendment to the [smoking ban] that would exempt establishments that get less than 35 percent of their revenues from food."

" "Today we are closed to the public. We are having a fund-raiser for Horseback Haven," said the handwritten sign on the mirror behind the bar at Delaney's. Owner William Delaney said he gives 25 cents to the riding stable for each customer."

"The law, passed in July and phased into full effect as of Jan. 22, bans smoking in most bars, restaurants, bowling alleys, and bingo halls in Toledo. Exempted were private clubs, rooms, or halls in which private social functions are held, if the general public is not invited; bars smaller than 245 square feet; and authorized smoking lounges. So far, no member of city council has endorsed any new exemptions."

"Fifty-five Toledo bars and restaurants have approved smoking lounges. Bar owners have reacted angrily to the law, saying their customers are fleeing to the suburbs to smoke legally."

"City Law Director Barb Herring said the city continues to send its inspectors out to enforce the smoking ban."

Yeah, if someone you know comes up missing, check with the Law Director. A major crime has been committed.

"A bar owner can be ordered to send his staff to smoking education classes, at a cost of up to $1,000."

I have to know. Do these smoking education classes teach a cigar rookie the proper method for cutting a cigar, at what point to stop smoking a cigar before it gets bitter, humidor maintenance, understanding wrappers, mild versus full bodied? If so, sign me up.

"On Friday, the Bier Stube celebrated the birthday of musician James Taylor, and on Saturday, the birthday of actor William H. Macy."

"Mr. Bollin blamed the smoking ban on The Blade, which, he said, used the threat of withholding its editorial endorsements to pressure members of city council to vote for it."
posted by jr to news at 9:39 A.M. EST     (7 Comments)

Comments ...

From last Friday's Blade:

Warrant issued in smoking ban battle
Delaney vows fight; city, police at odds

"Toledo Municipal Court Judge C. Allen McConnell issued the warrant after William Delaney, owner of Delaney’s Lounge, 309 West Alexis Rd., failed to appear for a hearing on 15 notices of violations charging he failed to enforce the smoking ban."
posted by jr at 09:36 A.M. EST on Mon Mar 22, 2004     #

The Toledo Blade is on the war path over this.

The Lemmonhead said, "Hey, wait a minute. Something smells funny. Was this just another attempt to circumvent Toledo’s smoking ban? Go ahead, bar owners, pat yourselves on the back. You fooled us again." Just tell us when we're suppose to laugh at your humor, Russ.

"Toledo Mayor Jack Ford, who showed a great deal of political courage when he proposed the ban, has failed in making sure the ban is effectively enforced. (I liken the situation to Iraq, where "winning the peace" has been far tougher than "winning the war." I question whether Mr. Ford had a plan for "winning the peace.")"

Courage or buffoonery? What happened to Madigan's army? And the war against smoking in public places in Toledo is like the war in Iraq? See how journalists can make a point about an issue in an article that is not even remotely related.

The Lemmon adds, "After a judge nixed Taverns for Tots, I thought bar owners would accept defeat. But then they started holding "private social functions" like the birthday party for Mr. Lewis. Both are equally transparent attempts to get around the smoking ban."

And a Blade editorial whined, "TAVERNS For Tots was a sham, and so is the effort by local bars to evade Toledo's smoking ban by staging phony "private social functions," such as birthday parties for celebrities."

"Rather than doing their civic duty and complying with the regulations, the bar owners have chosen a belligerent scofflaw stance, apparently hoping that the city will eventually tire of enforcing the ban."

And ladies and gentlemen, from Mount Block, the editorial writer commands, "That must not be allowed to happen."

Or what?

The writer, who apparently has been studying at the Russ Lemmon school of wit, continues with:

"These functions, in which the bars pretend to raise money for a charity or observe celebrity birthdays, are nothing more than flimflammery wreathed in the smoke of patrons' heavily puffed cigarettes."

Say what?

"These are still for-profit businesses, and their liquor licenses could one day be in jeopardy if they insist on violating local laws."

Ooo, is that a threat?

"They can't win an election, they can't win in the courts, and they can't win public opinion. Why don't they simply go smoke-free and stop the charade?"

"In the meantime, we reiterate our call for suburban communities to do the right and honorable thing and match Toledo by enacting their own smoking bans, and for the General Assembly to place a constitutional amendment on the statewide ballot."

The Blade inflicting its will. Unlike Toledo, the surrounding communities, including those in Michigan, don't take their marching orders from the Blade.

"It ought to be apparent by now that the tide of public opinion against tobacco use in public places won't be turned back."

What tide? 11 City Council members and a Mayor? That's barely a ripple. If this "tide" was so great, why are bar owners losing business? The math says that business should have at least doubled.

The writer should have said, "the tide of hypocrisy."
posted by jr at 11:18 A.M. EST on Mon Mar 22, 2004     #

You all are morons and you shouldn't have a web site.
posted by Guest at 04:19 P.M. EST on Mon Mar 22, 2004     #

All smokers are retards
posted by Guest at 04:19 P.M. EST on Mon Mar 22, 2004     #

Ahh 'Guest.' You rascal. Where would a website be without the fine contributions of 'Guest?' We love you man or woman or it.
posted by jr at 11:28 P.M. EST on Mon Mar 22, 2004     #

who is the smoking ban benefitting? does anyone out there have a great story? i'm a non-smoker and i got lung cancer from working in a bar for 10 years??

help me out.
posted by Guest at 12:43 P.M. EST on Sun Mar 28, 2004     #

Well the first thing i have to say is I am a smoker as well as a tax payer. The last time I checked it was not illegal for me to buy cigarettes or beer. Cigarettes are bad for you So is alcohol. When a NON SMOKER goes into a bar. What are they there for TO DRINK. Can you say I NEED A NEW LIVER???? As for guest who got lung cancer from working in a bar?? I'm very sorry you have lung cancer but do you ever feel bad for all the people who got cirrhosis or one the many alcohol realated diseases?? Also there are alot of other things that cause lung cancer besides smoking or second hand smoke. I live in toledo but I don't go to resturants in Toledo. The only bars I go to are the bars that have private parties. As to the answer to your question who does the smoking ban benefit?? NOT THE BUSINESS OWNERS WHO ARE LOSING MONEY. Bar owners should have the right to deciede if they want smoking or not. Just like employees have the right to deciede where they want to work.
posted by KerriHill at 12:49 P.M. EST on Fri Apr 09, 2004     #

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