Monday Updates from Sheila

Hello Everyone -

If you haven't visited the www.freedomtoact.com website lately, here is an update from Mark Benjamin:

NEW COURT DATE TO COME: Smoking Ban court case of State of Minnesota v. Tom Marinaro no longer set for Monday, April 28, 2008 at 3:30 p.m. at the St. Louis County Courthouse in Virginia, Minnesota.

The above-entitled case was originally set for oral argument on the legality of Minnesota’s smoking ban, specifically regarding the “theatrical productions” exception. Prior to such argument, stipulated facts were to be submitted to the court.

Unfortunately, the prosecution and defense have been unable to stipulate to the facts. For that reason a court trial will be necessary to establish what occurred at Tank’s Bar on the afternoon of March 14, 2008 in the City of Babbitt, Minnesota.

The St. Louis County clerk of court has directed the prosecution and defense to engage in a scheduling conference by telephone on April 30th at 8:10 a.m. A new court date will be assigned at that time.

At the court trial, the defense will seek to establish the necessary facts to show that Mr. Marinaro’s conduct fell within the “theatrical productions” exception to Minnesota’s smoking ban and, for that reason, he cannot be found guilty.

Our show goes on.



Attached is Robert Ripley's flyer regarding the upcoming Smoker's Right's Rally (fund raiser) at Bullseye Saloon on May 3rd. If you cannot open the attachment, visit Robert's website www.bullseye-saloon.com and click on "Event Calendar". http://www.bullseye-saloon.com/events.htm You will note on his flyer that there will be entertainment by a band called “4-ON-THE-FLOOR” , Bill Travers and his band members graciously offered to play to support the cause. Please come out and hear them play....and THANK YOU BILL and BAND MEMBERS for your support. Bar owners - I would encourage you to keep this band in mind for any of your future bookings as I certainly will. In addition, we would ask your help in either posting this flyer in your establishment or just passing it out....the more the merrier at this event!! What do you say.....let's make it the biggest EVENT of the year!!!

Just to let you know, ABC 20/20 is still planning on coming out to do more filming. Not sure when but I will keep you posted. Additionally, remember to keep those video devices on the ready just in case the "Gestapo" decides to visit, 20/20 would be interested in the video if this happens.

Huge thanks to all that have helped:

"4-ON-THE-FLOOR" Band
Force's (check out their new posting http://forces.org/News_Portal/news_viewer.php?id=1055 )
Tavern League of Minnesota (www.tavernleaguemn.org)
Greg Lang (owner of the www.freedomtoact.com website)
Mark Benjamin
Robert Ripley (Bullseye Saloon)
Tom & Marie (Tanks Bar in Babbitt)
Mike & Terri (Sabin's Bar in Chisholm)
Brian Bauman (Rock Night Club in Maplewood)
Bob Pobul (NiteTimes Magazine)
All the other Bar Owners (too numerous to list them all and I don't want to give you away)
And to all you WONDERFUL people for your support.

I remember last year sitting in one of the committee hearing's on the smoking ban bill, a Senator was speaking for the ban. She was quite frustrated because her college age son started smoking. She voiced her opinion that this ban was a good thing because then her son might consider kicking the habit if he couldn't smoke in a bar. I remember getting very angry about her comments and thought this was irresponsible of her and actually quite selfish. Why should bars be held responsible for helping her son to quit smoking? Is that not her responsibility as well as her son's? Apparently, the cost of businesses and employees jobs is a small price to pay for her selfishness. I know that for myself, I don't feel that our establishment should be considered a "smoking cessation" tool and I guess I was naive to think that we elect our officials to represent us "We the people"and not their own personal agenda. Oh well, what a fool I am! But NO MORE!

Break a leg!

Sheila