"When the RSPCA discovered Rusty, a 161-pound Labrador, it took his owners to court. The judge likened poor old Rusty to a walrus, and fined his feeders $2,000."
http://www.abcnews.go.com/Nightline/story?id=5498402
Fat Cat Making the Media Rounds
Stray Becomes Poster Cat for Obesity
By NICK WATT and SARAH NETTER
Aug. 1, 2008 —
He's fat. There's no other way around it.
Even his name, Prince Chunk, leaves little to the imagination. The now-famous New Jersey fat cat, who at 44 pounds is two pounds shy of the feline weight record, has been making the media rounds after being found on the streets, a victim of the foreclosure crisis.
Debbie Wright, who works with the Camden County Animal Shelter, told ABC News' Diane Sawyer that Prince Chunk eats normally, but will go in for a veterinary check-up soon.
Shelter workers have told The Associated Press that they are taking up to 15 calls an hour from people inquiring about the cat. He is scheduled to make an appearance at a Cherry Hill, N.J., adoption event next month.
But while Prince Chunk is a little more than portly -- Sawyer had to heave him into her lap-- he's certainly not the only animal in need of a weight-loss program.
Chum is a 5-year-old Labrador with a taste for pigs' ears. His owner, Sharon Best, and her three sons, showered him with too much love and fed him too many pigs' ears. Chum ballooned to 85 pounds.
British TV veterinarian Joe Inglis estimates that 60 percent of pets in the United Kingdom are overweight.
"I think it's the biggest health problem affecting our pets," he said.
Inglis launched a roadshow to raise awareness. He also launched a Website called Pets Get Slim, which offers helpful tips and awards prizes to top weight losers. Being fat is just as bad for dogs as it is for their owners. Inglis' message is: Do your pet a favor, and don't give in to a wagging tail.
Owners are "essentially killing their animals with kindness," said Claire Ponsford at the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. "It is ... a form of cruelty, and it is a prosecutable offense."
When the RSPCA discovered Rusty, a 161-pound Labrador, it took his owners to court. The judge likened poor old Rusty to a walrus, and fined his feeders $2,000.
Nothing so drastic for Chum. Just a strict diet. One bowl of dry biscuits a day.
"I didn't want to lose him before I had to," Best said.
It worked. Chum shed 11 pounds and is well on his way to his target weight of 62 pounds.
"And he's getting more playful as he's losing the weight," Best said. "He's happier."
So, how can you tell if your pooch is too portly?
If you can rest a drink on his broad back, if you can't see his ribs and, said Inglis, "If the pet hasn't got a nice clearly defined waist behind the ribs, that's another sign."
Also, fat dogs are listless and lazy. They chew bones but don't chase sticks.
Copyright © 2008 ABC News Internet Ventures
Saturday, August 2, 2008
Friday, August 1, 2008
Los Angeles Fast Food Restaurant Ban
Redrant: The chain El Pollo Loco http://www.elpolloloco.com is cited in several articles as a prefererred alternative. The have some low fat options but others like the "Ceaser Pollo salad" with 38 grams of fat and and the the "Grilled Chicken Nachos" with 55 grams of fat . Greg Lang
http://www.elpolloloco.com/nutritional/nutritionguide.pdf
Robert's Response to the Fast Food Restaurant Ban ( I couldn't agree more! ) Shiela
Did you see the proposal that is on the table in Los Angeles this week? A proposed one-year moritorium on the building of any new fast food restaurants (McDonalds was mentioned specifically) to allow new "healthier" restaurants to start instead...Are you kidding me!?!?!? That is the absolute DEFINITON of COMMUNISM!!! State controlled businesses? Wow. Well, to the CEO of McDonalds: You should have stood with us on the smoking ban, cause now they're coming for you! Let this be a lesson to all people and businesses that value freedom... they're picking us off one by one... isn't it time to stand together and stop these communists (liberals)?!!?Not to mention, can't these idiots see past the end of their noses? I thought the liberals always stood for the poor and dependent..? Well, liberal idiots... where the hell do you think those poor people can afford to eat!?!? Hmmmm... RR
Panel OKs one-year ban on new fast-food restaurants in South L.A.
The measure is part of an effort to address health problems in the area. Some question how such eateries will be defined.
By Molly Hennessy-Fiske, Los Angeles Times Staff Writer 9:42 PM PDT, July 22, 2008
A proposal that would place at least a one-year moratorium on new fast-food restaurants in a broad swath of neighborhoods, mostly in South Los Angeles, won unanimous support from a Los Angeles City Council committee Tuesday.If approved by the full council and signed by the mayor, the law would prevent fast-food chains from opening new restaurants in a 32-square-mile area, including West Adams, Baldwin Village and Leimert Park. The moratorium would be in effect for one year, with the possibility of two six-month extensions.
The measure, proposed by Councilwoman Jan Perry, whose 9th District includes much of South Los Angeles, defines a fast-food restaurant as "any establishment which dispenses food for consumption on or off the premises, and which has the following characteristics: a limited menu, items prepared in advance or prepared or heated quickly, no table orders and food served in disposable wrapping or containers."Councilman Jose Huizar questioned that definition during the meeting of the council's Planning and Land Use Management Committee and requested clarification from city planners -- particularly the definition of a "limited menu" -- before the proposal goes before the council."McDonald's has been increasing the number of items on their menu, so at what point would they exceed that definition?" Huizar said.Councilman Jack Weiss said restrictions on fast-food restaurants in Westwood have caused problems for such businesses as Ben & Jerry's and Smoothie King, which would not otherwise be considered fast-food outlets.Restaurant lobbyists initially opposed the law. But Andrew Casana, a lobbyist for the Sacramento-based California Restaurant Assn., said his group is working with Perry and other council members and is waiting to see how they define fast food and plan to deal with lots that remain vacant after the law expires.Perry said that after speaking with restaurant lobbyists, she amended her proposal to allow for "fast-food casual" restaurants, such as Subway or Pastagina, that do not have heat lamps or drive-through windows and that prepare fresh food to order.Perry said she has been attempting to address the health issues associated with fast food, such as diabetes and obesity. She is trying to persuade supermarket chains and sit-down restaurants to open in her district, which has been especially hard hit with such health problems.The Community Redevelopment Agency is offering grocers and restaurants incentives that include tax credits, electricity discounts and expedited reviews by the city Planning Department and Building and Safety Department."It's important to offer incentives to bring restaurants into an area, especially an area that has suffered prejudices and stereotypes," Perry said.Councilman Bernard C. Parks, whose entire 8th District is within the affected area, attended Tuesday's meeting and expressed support for the proposed law.Huizar called for the city to do more to combat pervasive junk food advertising by educating children in South L.A. about healthy eating.Julia Ansley, 66, a retired elementary school teacher who has lived in South L.A. more than 40 years, attended the meeting and said afterward that she was encouraged by the vote. "It's much needed," she said of the proposed ordinance. "Our community has been neglected by city planners."In April, the county Department of Public Health released a study showing that 30% of South Los Angeles adults were obese, compared with about 21% of adults countywide. South L.A. also has the highest incidence of diabetes in the county, 11.7% compared with 8.1% for the county as a whole.A Times analysis of the city's roughly 8,200 restaurants late last year found that South L.A. had the highest concentration of fast-food eateries. Per capita, the area has fewer eateries of any kind than the Westside, downtown or Hollywood, and about the same as the Valley. But a much higher percentage of restaurants in South L.A. belong to fast-food chains, and the area has far fewer grocery stores than other parts of town.molly.hennessy-fiske @latimes.com
http://www.latimes.com/features/health/medicine/la-me-fastfood23-2008jul23,0,7844930.story
http://www.elpolloloco.com/nutritional/nutritionguide.pdf
Robert's Response to the Fast Food Restaurant Ban ( I couldn't agree more! ) Shiela
Did you see the proposal that is on the table in Los Angeles this week? A proposed one-year moritorium on the building of any new fast food restaurants (McDonalds was mentioned specifically) to allow new "healthier" restaurants to start instead...Are you kidding me!?!?!? That is the absolute DEFINITON of COMMUNISM!!! State controlled businesses? Wow. Well, to the CEO of McDonalds: You should have stood with us on the smoking ban, cause now they're coming for you! Let this be a lesson to all people and businesses that value freedom... they're picking us off one by one... isn't it time to stand together and stop these communists (liberals)?!!?Not to mention, can't these idiots see past the end of their noses? I thought the liberals always stood for the poor and dependent..? Well, liberal idiots... where the hell do you think those poor people can afford to eat!?!? Hmmmm... RR
Panel OKs one-year ban on new fast-food restaurants in South L.A.
The measure is part of an effort to address health problems in the area. Some question how such eateries will be defined.
By Molly Hennessy-Fiske, Los Angeles Times Staff Writer 9:42 PM PDT, July 22, 2008
A proposal that would place at least a one-year moratorium on new fast-food restaurants in a broad swath of neighborhoods, mostly in South Los Angeles, won unanimous support from a Los Angeles City Council committee Tuesday.If approved by the full council and signed by the mayor, the law would prevent fast-food chains from opening new restaurants in a 32-square-mile area, including West Adams, Baldwin Village and Leimert Park. The moratorium would be in effect for one year, with the possibility of two six-month extensions.
The measure, proposed by Councilwoman Jan Perry, whose 9th District includes much of South Los Angeles, defines a fast-food restaurant as "any establishment which dispenses food for consumption on or off the premises, and which has the following characteristics: a limited menu, items prepared in advance or prepared or heated quickly, no table orders and food served in disposable wrapping or containers."Councilman Jose Huizar questioned that definition during the meeting of the council's Planning and Land Use Management Committee and requested clarification from city planners -- particularly the definition of a "limited menu" -- before the proposal goes before the council."McDonald's has been increasing the number of items on their menu, so at what point would they exceed that definition?" Huizar said.Councilman Jack Weiss said restrictions on fast-food restaurants in Westwood have caused problems for such businesses as Ben & Jerry's and Smoothie King, which would not otherwise be considered fast-food outlets.Restaurant lobbyists initially opposed the law. But Andrew Casana, a lobbyist for the Sacramento-based California Restaurant Assn., said his group is working with Perry and other council members and is waiting to see how they define fast food and plan to deal with lots that remain vacant after the law expires.Perry said that after speaking with restaurant lobbyists, she amended her proposal to allow for "fast-food casual" restaurants, such as Subway or Pastagina, that do not have heat lamps or drive-through windows and that prepare fresh food to order.Perry said she has been attempting to address the health issues associated with fast food, such as diabetes and obesity. She is trying to persuade supermarket chains and sit-down restaurants to open in her district, which has been especially hard hit with such health problems.The Community Redevelopment Agency is offering grocers and restaurants incentives that include tax credits, electricity discounts and expedited reviews by the city Planning Department and Building and Safety Department."It's important to offer incentives to bring restaurants into an area, especially an area that has suffered prejudices and stereotypes," Perry said.Councilman Bernard C. Parks, whose entire 8th District is within the affected area, attended Tuesday's meeting and expressed support for the proposed law.Huizar called for the city to do more to combat pervasive junk food advertising by educating children in South L.A. about healthy eating.Julia Ansley, 66, a retired elementary school teacher who has lived in South L.A. more than 40 years, attended the meeting and said afterward that she was encouraged by the vote. "It's much needed," she said of the proposed ordinance. "Our community has been neglected by city planners."In April, the county Department of Public Health released a study showing that 30% of South Los Angeles adults were obese, compared with about 21% of adults countywide. South L.A. also has the highest incidence of diabetes in the county, 11.7% compared with 8.1% for the county as a whole.A Times analysis of the city's roughly 8,200 restaurants late last year found that South L.A. had the highest concentration of fast-food eateries. Per capita, the area has fewer eateries of any kind than the Westside, downtown or Hollywood, and about the same as the Valley. But a much higher percentage of restaurants in South L.A. belong to fast-food chains, and the area has far fewer grocery stores than other parts of town.molly.hennessy-fiske @latimes.com
http://www.latimes.com/features/health/medicine/la-me-fastfood23-2008jul23,0,7844930.story
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
Board passes tobacco ban in pharmacies.
Redrant: Does mean that that the sale of nicotine gum and nicotine patches will be planned in San Francisco pharmacies? Greg Lang
Greg -
This is a must read. Note my highlites in bold. So basically the government has the authority to tell a private business what legal products they can sell and not sell????
here --
Board passes tobacco ban in pharmacies
Wyatt Buchanan, Chronicle Staff Writer
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
San Francisco lawmakers voted Tuesday to make the city the first in the nation to ban the sale of tobacco products at most pharmacies, a move that backers hope will lead to similar laws across the country.
The ban has already attracted the attention of Marin County leaders, who may push forward with their own proposal.
The ban passed the San Francisco Board of Supervisors on an 8-3 vote, with some supervisors predicting it would be a "first step" toward additional bans on the sale of tobacco in the city.
"Whatever we can do to make this country a smoke-free zone, we should do it," said Supervisor Ross Mirkarimi, who voted in favor of the ban first proposed by Mayor Gavin Newsom.
The law will ban the sale of all tobacco products at pharmacies in the city, including Walgreens and Rite Aid stores. Big-box stores like Costco and supermarkets like Safeway will still be allowed to sell tobacco.
Larry Meredith, director of Health and Human Services for Marin County, said officials there will watch the implementation of San Francisco's ban and have already drafted similar legislation that could go before supervisors in the fall.
Newsom's spokesman Nathan Ballard praised the San Francisco board's action. The ban is set to take effect Oct. 1.
"A pharmacy is a place you should go to get better, not to get cancer," Ballard said. Newsom would analyze the effect of the new law before expanding it to other types of stores, Ballard said.
Supervisors voting against the measure said they felt that Walgreens and Rite Aid were unfairly singled out by the ban.
"I don't see the value in driving tobacco consumers to corner stores where they aren't going to have access to smoking-cessation products," said Supervisor Bevan Dufty, who voted against the ban along with supervisors Carmen Chu and Sean Elsbernd.
Chu said the legislation "makes it harder for businesses to do business in San Francisco."
While the law exempts some types of stores, Public Health Director Mitch Katz, who helped draft the legislation, said the intent was to focus the ban on the "group where the case was the strongest."
"We teach our children that supermarkets and wholesale stores are places you go to buy everything. When it comes to pharmacies, I feel that our children and our teenagers get a different message," said Katz, who also suggested the ban could be broadened in the future.
Representatives of Walgreens and Rite Aid said the law lacks basic fairness.
"We believe this is about customer choice and the right of customers to find products in our stores," said Cheryl Slavinsky, a Rite Aid spokeswoman.
Walgreen Co. spokesman Michael Polzin noted that people buying cigarettes can speak to pharmacists in the store about quitting smoking and can buy smoking cessation products there.
He said the drugstore chain had not decided whether it would take legal action against the ban, but said, "We are going to review all our options."
The American Lung Association, which along with other health organizations has lobbied pharmacies across the country for voluntary bans, heralded the action in San Francisco.
"It changes the conversation from something where people of conscience act to one where a city says, 'You know what, we support healthier lifestyles in our city,' " said Serena Chen, policy director for the American Lung Association of California.
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2008/07/30/BAC7121IRV.DTL
Greg -
This is a must read. Note my highlites in bold. So basically the government has the authority to tell a private business what legal products they can sell and not sell????
here --
Board passes tobacco ban in pharmacies
Wyatt Buchanan, Chronicle Staff Writer
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
San Francisco lawmakers voted Tuesday to make the city the first in the nation to ban the sale of tobacco products at most pharmacies, a move that backers hope will lead to similar laws across the country.
The ban has already attracted the attention of Marin County leaders, who may push forward with their own proposal.
The ban passed the San Francisco Board of Supervisors on an 8-3 vote, with some supervisors predicting it would be a "first step" toward additional bans on the sale of tobacco in the city.
"Whatever we can do to make this country a smoke-free zone, we should do it," said Supervisor Ross Mirkarimi, who voted in favor of the ban first proposed by Mayor Gavin Newsom.
The law will ban the sale of all tobacco products at pharmacies in the city, including Walgreens and Rite Aid stores. Big-box stores like Costco and supermarkets like Safeway will still be allowed to sell tobacco.
Larry Meredith, director of Health and Human Services for Marin County, said officials there will watch the implementation of San Francisco's ban and have already drafted similar legislation that could go before supervisors in the fall.
Newsom's spokesman Nathan Ballard praised the San Francisco board's action. The ban is set to take effect Oct. 1.
"A pharmacy is a place you should go to get better, not to get cancer," Ballard said. Newsom would analyze the effect of the new law before expanding it to other types of stores, Ballard said.
Supervisors voting against the measure said they felt that Walgreens and Rite Aid were unfairly singled out by the ban.
"I don't see the value in driving tobacco consumers to corner stores where they aren't going to have access to smoking-cessation products," said Supervisor Bevan Dufty, who voted against the ban along with supervisors Carmen Chu and Sean Elsbernd.
Chu said the legislation "makes it harder for businesses to do business in San Francisco."
While the law exempts some types of stores, Public Health Director Mitch Katz, who helped draft the legislation, said the intent was to focus the ban on the "group where the case was the strongest."
"We teach our children that supermarkets and wholesale stores are places you go to buy everything. When it comes to pharmacies, I feel that our children and our teenagers get a different message," said Katz, who also suggested the ban could be broadened in the future.
Representatives of Walgreens and Rite Aid said the law lacks basic fairness.
"We believe this is about customer choice and the right of customers to find products in our stores," said Cheryl Slavinsky, a Rite Aid spokeswoman.
Walgreen Co. spokesman Michael Polzin noted that people buying cigarettes can speak to pharmacists in the store about quitting smoking and can buy smoking cessation products there.
He said the drugstore chain had not decided whether it would take legal action against the ban, but said, "We are going to review all our options."
The American Lung Association, which along with other health organizations has lobbied pharmacies across the country for voluntary bans, heralded the action in San Francisco.
"It changes the conversation from something where people of conscience act to one where a city says, 'You know what, we support healthier lifestyles in our city,' " said Serena Chen, policy director for the American Lung Association of California.
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2008/07/30/BAC7121IRV.DTL
Theater Night Update 7-30-08
Hello Everyone - Just thought I would share these 2 e-mails with you.
The e-mails below are from Adam Steele, he is running in district 4A as a Republican. Frank Moe, the DFL incumbent is retiring this year. There is an Independent running (Blake), a DFL candidate running (Persell), and an endorsed Republican running (John Carlson). District 4A covers parts of Beltrami, Cass, & Itasca Counties, including Bemidji, Cass Lake, Deer River & Remer. Read his e-mails below....I think I really like this guy! If you think so too...maybe you can help him out with a PCR contribution (he explains below). I personally have used PCR contributions and it truly works....a good way to financially support any candidate you like and get your money back to boot! Think of it as People Power vs the "Big Money" types!
One word of caution using PCR donation....if you owe any back taxes do NOTdo a PCR donation...they will not refund you the money! Please pass this on to those that may be interested.....if we stick together and help each other out...we will show them who is in control!!!
Sheila (P.S. You have got to read his http://northernherald.finalhost.net/campsite.pdf . )(P.S.S. Check out the government scorecard at http://banthebanminnesota.com/default.aspx .
Shawn has 1 "district" scorecard finished. To view the district scorecard (which contains a freedom rating) just click on the "district # . For example, if you click on district # 67B in the government scorecard it will bring up a district scorecard. Whenever you see a district # highlighted and underlined, that means it has a district scorecard. Check it out! Information is powerful ! )(P.S.S.S. Always remember to check out http://www.freedomtoact.com/ for new articles and other information that has been posted.)
First E-mail from Adam Steele Date: Wed, 30 Jul 2008 00:11:30 -0500To: shawn@banthebanminnesota.comFrom: editor@northernherald.comSubject: Re: Minnesota Smoking Ban
Greetings:
Thank you for your comments, and the site reference.
Northern Herald consistently supports smokers' rights and property owners' rights; and we have also made an effort to educate people that Secondhand Smoke Never Killed Anyone. Our issues usually contain a PSA that makes reference to the Enstrom/Kabat study that showed that. (See NH of 10/25/04 in The Library, vol. 10, at http://northernherald.com/ or the original complete study report in the British Medical Journal (issue of 17 May 2003, vol. 326 (no. 7398), p. 1057) at http://bmj.com/ )
Additionally, I was one of four Plaintiffs who challenged the Beltrami County smoking ordinance (the precursor to the State ban) and took the case all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court. Unfortunately, they wouldn't hear it; and the lower courts indicated that they viewed it as a legislative, not a judicial, matter.
So, as a candidate for State Rep, I've pledged to, if elected, work to get the ban repealed. I don't know of any other area candidates who have similarly addressed the issue, and the only way it's going to happen is if those of us who support individual and property rights get elected. My entire platform can be seen at my campaign site, http://northernherald.finalhost.net/campsite.pdf
Right now, we need to raise $1,500 in contributions of $50 or less (up to $100 if married, contributing jointly) by August 18th, to qualify for state campaign funding. As you probably know, for people eligible to vote in Minnesota (whether or not they actually do), the State actually refunds the first $50 each person contributes to a qualified campaign (and ours is qualified for this). The refund is not limited to people in my district. Any eligible voter in the state can contribute to this campaign and get a refund of their contribution up to $50 (provided that they don't owe taxes, etc.). And they don't have to wait 'til they file their taxes to get it - the refund is usually made about 6 to 8 weeks from when one sends the form in. For more info on this, see my campaign website, or the state website at http://www.taxes.state.mn.us/ (download form PCR and instructions there). Of course, we send all contributors a form PCR with their receipt, so they can apply for the refund right away.
So, if any of your members would like to put $50 of State money to overturning the ban, please let them know that there is a candidate running who is pledged to do this. It doesn't matter whether or not they're in my district - this will affect the whole state, and they can help make it happen by sending their refundable contribution to:
THE STEELE COMMITTEE
P.O. Box 1132
Bemidji, MN 56619
Contributions are appreciated any time, of course, but the ones we receive (the postmark date doesn't count for this) on or before August 18th will do double-duty, as they'll also help qualify the campaign for state financing.
-- Onward!Adam Steele, Candidate for State Rep. - Dist. 4A, and Editor, Northern Herald newspapervoice phone: 218-759-1162
email: editor@northernherald.com
newspaper home page: http://northernherald.com/
campaign home page: http://northernherald.finalhost.net/campsite.pdf
Second E-mail from Adam Steele
Date: Wed, 30 Jul 2008 00:53:33 -0500To: shawn@banthebanminnesota.comFrom: editor@northernherald.comSubject: Postscript
Greetings, again:
It is important not just to repeal the ban, but also, the State should, legislatively, preempt the issue, so that corrupt localities - cities, counties, etc. - can't pass local ordinances (like Beltrami County, Duluth, and the Twin Cities did before the state law) which infringe smokers' and property rights.
-- Onward!Adam Steele, Candidate for State Rep. - Dist. 4A, and Editor, Northern Herald newspapervoice phone: 218-759-1162email: editor@northernherald.comnewspaper home page: http://northernherald.com/campaign home page: http://northernherald.finalhost.net/campsite.pdf
"If you and I were capable of being altogether house-trained and made jolly,we should be nicer people, but not writers." -- Elizabeth Bowen
"Wanting to meet an author because you like his work is like wanting to meet a duck because you like pate." -- Margaret Atwood
"Do the best you can in every task, no matter how unimportant it may seem at the time. No one learns more about a problem than the person at the bottom." -- Justice Sandra Day O'Connor (retired), U.S. Supreme Court
"How religious can you be if you're pregnant?" -- Bart Simpson, to an unmarried teenage girl who's just told him that she is "very religious"
Publisher's Corner: Allnighters: At 1 in the morning, the only thing worse than realizing that you can't make a noon press deadline, is realizing that you can. -- A. Steele, Editor
The e-mails below are from Adam Steele, he is running in district 4A as a Republican. Frank Moe, the DFL incumbent is retiring this year. There is an Independent running (Blake), a DFL candidate running (Persell), and an endorsed Republican running (John Carlson). District 4A covers parts of Beltrami, Cass, & Itasca Counties, including Bemidji, Cass Lake, Deer River & Remer. Read his e-mails below....I think I really like this guy! If you think so too...maybe you can help him out with a PCR contribution (he explains below). I personally have used PCR contributions and it truly works....a good way to financially support any candidate you like and get your money back to boot! Think of it as People Power vs the "Big Money" types!
One word of caution using PCR donation....if you owe any back taxes do NOTdo a PCR donation...they will not refund you the money! Please pass this on to those that may be interested.....if we stick together and help each other out...we will show them who is in control!!!
Sheila (P.S. You have got to read his http://northernherald.finalhost.net/campsite.pdf . )(P.S.S. Check out the government scorecard at http://banthebanminnesota.com/default.aspx .
Shawn has 1 "district" scorecard finished. To view the district scorecard (which contains a freedom rating) just click on the "district # . For example, if you click on district # 67B in the government scorecard it will bring up a district scorecard. Whenever you see a district # highlighted and underlined, that means it has a district scorecard. Check it out! Information is powerful ! )(P.S.S.S. Always remember to check out http://www.freedomtoact.com/ for new articles and other information that has been posted.)
First E-mail from Adam Steele Date: Wed, 30 Jul 2008 00:11:30 -0500To: shawn@banthebanminnesota.comFrom: editor@northernherald.comSubject: Re: Minnesota Smoking Ban
Greetings:
Thank you for your comments, and the site reference.
Northern Herald consistently supports smokers' rights and property owners' rights; and we have also made an effort to educate people that Secondhand Smoke Never Killed Anyone. Our issues usually contain a PSA that makes reference to the Enstrom/Kabat study that showed that. (See NH of 10/25/04 in The Library, vol. 10, at http://northernherald.com/ or the original complete study report in the British Medical Journal (issue of 17 May 2003, vol. 326 (no. 7398), p. 1057) at http://bmj.com/ )
Additionally, I was one of four Plaintiffs who challenged the Beltrami County smoking ordinance (the precursor to the State ban) and took the case all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court. Unfortunately, they wouldn't hear it; and the lower courts indicated that they viewed it as a legislative, not a judicial, matter.
So, as a candidate for State Rep, I've pledged to, if elected, work to get the ban repealed. I don't know of any other area candidates who have similarly addressed the issue, and the only way it's going to happen is if those of us who support individual and property rights get elected. My entire platform can be seen at my campaign site, http://northernherald.finalhost.net/campsite.pdf
Right now, we need to raise $1,500 in contributions of $50 or less (up to $100 if married, contributing jointly) by August 18th, to qualify for state campaign funding. As you probably know, for people eligible to vote in Minnesota (whether or not they actually do), the State actually refunds the first $50 each person contributes to a qualified campaign (and ours is qualified for this). The refund is not limited to people in my district. Any eligible voter in the state can contribute to this campaign and get a refund of their contribution up to $50 (provided that they don't owe taxes, etc.). And they don't have to wait 'til they file their taxes to get it - the refund is usually made about 6 to 8 weeks from when one sends the form in. For more info on this, see my campaign website, or the state website at http://www.taxes.state.mn.us/ (download form PCR and instructions there). Of course, we send all contributors a form PCR with their receipt, so they can apply for the refund right away.
So, if any of your members would like to put $50 of State money to overturning the ban, please let them know that there is a candidate running who is pledged to do this. It doesn't matter whether or not they're in my district - this will affect the whole state, and they can help make it happen by sending their refundable contribution to:
THE STEELE COMMITTEE
P.O. Box 1132
Bemidji, MN 56619
Contributions are appreciated any time, of course, but the ones we receive (the postmark date doesn't count for this) on or before August 18th will do double-duty, as they'll also help qualify the campaign for state financing.
-- Onward!Adam Steele, Candidate for State Rep. - Dist. 4A, and Editor, Northern Herald newspapervoice phone: 218-759-1162
email: editor@northernherald.com
newspaper home page: http://northernherald.com/
campaign home page: http://northernherald.finalhost.net/campsite.pdf
Second E-mail from Adam Steele
Date: Wed, 30 Jul 2008 00:53:33 -0500To: shawn@banthebanminnesota.comFrom: editor@northernherald.comSubject: Postscript
Greetings, again:
It is important not just to repeal the ban, but also, the State should, legislatively, preempt the issue, so that corrupt localities - cities, counties, etc. - can't pass local ordinances (like Beltrami County, Duluth, and the Twin Cities did before the state law) which infringe smokers' and property rights.
-- Onward!Adam Steele, Candidate for State Rep. - Dist. 4A, and Editor, Northern Herald newspapervoice phone: 218-759-1162email: editor@northernherald.comnewspaper home page: http://northernherald.com/campaign home page: http://northernherald.finalhost.net/campsite.pdf
"If you and I were capable of being altogether house-trained and made jolly,we should be nicer people, but not writers." -- Elizabeth Bowen
"Wanting to meet an author because you like his work is like wanting to meet a duck because you like pate." -- Margaret Atwood
"Do the best you can in every task, no matter how unimportant it may seem at the time. No one learns more about a problem than the person at the bottom." -- Justice Sandra Day O'Connor (retired), U.S. Supreme Court
"How religious can you be if you're pregnant?" -- Bart Simpson, to an unmarried teenage girl who's just told him that she is "very religious"
Publisher's Corner: Allnighters: At 1 in the morning, the only thing worse than realizing that you can't make a noon press deadline, is realizing that you can. -- A. Steele, Editor
Theater Night Update 7-29-08
Hello Everyone -
Well, you knew it was coming....they are talking about banning the sale of cigerettes and cigars in the European Union. Black market...here we come! And get a look at that....their giving the smokers and obese a break in Nice. They are actually talking about allowing them to receive drugs and operations! How nice of them! I guess we're considered part of the human race after all! And that poor van couple...can you imagine getting a fine for smoking in your vehicle because they say it's your "work" vehicle.....how absurd!
People...how did things get so bad? What happened to good old common sense? Let's try to return to the "good old common sense" days and make that apparent at this November's elections. Visit the http://banthebanminnesota.com/default.aspx to check out who is running in your district and where they stand on the smoking issue (government scorecard). We will also be adding "links" where you can view how your incumbent voted on other issues in the legislature. It's important that we are "informed" voters! Maybe, we can then stop the madness!
Sheila
(P.S. Don't forget to check www.freedomtoact.com as Greg as posted other articles. Especially, take a look at what is going on in Anoka county with the local government. I feel bad for those people!)
(P.S.S. I will be at the Crow Wing County fair this Saturday (2:30 - 6:30) and Shawn will be at the Olmstead County fair this Thursday (6:15 - 10:00). We are helping out Minnesota Majority man their booth. If your in the area, drop by and see us. If interested, they are still looking for volunteers to help man the booth.)
MEP calls for EU-wide tobacco banBy Doug Newhouse, 22 July 2008While the European Commission continues to try and drive its plan to rise tobacco taxes throughout the 27-nation bloc, Irish MEP Avril Doyle has called for legislation to make it illegal to sell cigarettes and cigars within the European Union by 2025.
To read more click on the link below:
http://www.trend- news.com/ default.asp? newsid=4897
Smokers and obese must get NHS treatment despite lifestyle, says head of Nice
Smokers and the obese should receive drugs and operations on the NHS despite their lifestyle, according to the head of the Government's drugs rationing body Nice. By Rebecca Smith, Medical Editor and Robert Winnett, Political Correspondent Last Updated: 1:34AM BST 26 Jul 2008A personal lifestyle choice must not be used as a reason to deny someone treatment on the NHS, Andrew Dillon chief executive of the National Institute for health and Clinical Excellence said in an interview with The Daily Telegraph. Mr Dillon says the only circumstance where such a refusal would be justified is if the drug or treatment would not be effective unless the patient changed their lifestyle. The treatment of self induced or lifestyle factors is a central and hotly debated topic for the NHS. Earlier this week a survey of IVF clinicians found the majority do not believe smokers should receive treatment. Prof Peter Braude, of King's College London, said the reasons were that there is some evidence that smoking affects the chances of successful treatment but also the welfare of the resulting child must be taken into account. Guidelines from the British Fertility Society also say that patients with a body mass index of more than 36, classed as clinically obese, should not receive treatment because it is risky and less likely to work. Surgeons have also been debating whether obese patients should have knee replacements, as the general anaesthetic is riskier in overweight patients, but also because the replacement may not last as well. Mr Dillon said Nice asked its Citizens Council, a representative group of 30 people who have no involvement with healthcare, to consider the issue and they concluded that treatment should not be rationed according to lifestyle. He said: "The only circumstances in which we say the way people behave individually should be taken into account is if that behaviour has the effect of directly reducing the effectiveness of the treatment. "Simply because you have a lifestyle is not a reason for refusing a treatment. If that was the case any of us who go skiing would be told if you get a broken leg don't expect us to fix it. "It is a lifestyle choice if you ski, I like to ski. I go out and I know there is a much greater risk of serious injury than if I didn't go skiing or if I went walking in the Lake District or lay on a beach instead and no-one says to me because of that lifestyle choice the NHS will treat your differently. "I think we have to be extremely careful about saying that the way people live their lives is a factor in decision making and Nice has said it isn't, except where continuing with a particular pattern of lifestyle renders the treatment ineffective. " Mr Dillon said the Citizens Council had also rejected any notion of Nice weighting their decisions in favour of the young over the old or those in work over those not. He added: "Their response was that a year of life at age three was worth just as much as a year of life aged 83." When a group of schoolchildren were asked their response was the same, he said. The proposed NHS Constitution says that patients have the right to drugs and treatments that have been recommended by Nice and if your doctor believes they are appropriate for you.
http://www.telegrap h.co.uk/news/ 2460033/Smokers- and-obese- must-get- NHS-treatment- despite-lifestyl e%2C-says- head-of-Nice. html
Couple fined for smoking in own van
Published: Friday, 25 July 2008, 10:18AM
A painter and decorator and his wife have both received a £30 fines for smoking in their own van.
Gordon Williams, of Llanafan, near Aberystwyth, west Wales, and his wife Sue were on the way to buy tea bags when they were slapped with the fixed penalty fines under anti-smoking laws.
The self-employed painter and decorator hit out claiming the fines were unjustified and unfair because his van is a private vehicle and warned that British civil liberties are "going up in smoke".
He has lodged an appeal with Ceredigion County Council and claims Britain is sleepwalking into a Big Brother-style society.
The blue Suzuki van belonging to Mr Williams had been undergoing a routine check by police in Llanbadarn Fawr, outside Aberystwyth, earlier this month.
The married grandfather had just lit up when a council official approached him and dished out the on-the-spot fine. Mr Williams said it was justified to him by the accusation that his van was classed as a workplace.
He claims that he had, in fact, been working in the nearby village of Talybont that day and only ever used his van as transport.
"I was actually driving to Llanbadarn Fawr to get some tea bags from the garage, so how was I going to my place of work?" he said.
"I appreciate that a driver of a coach or a bus can't smoke at the wheel because, obviously, that is the law of the land.
"But this is insured as a private vehicle and I only use it to drive to wherever I will be working on any given day.
"Of course, there are tools and things in the van but a barrister would carry about documents in a briefcase in his own car, this is no different to my mind."
http://www.itv.com/News/Articles/Couple-fined-for-smoking-in-own-van-739954256.html
Well, you knew it was coming....they are talking about banning the sale of cigerettes and cigars in the European Union. Black market...here we come! And get a look at that....their giving the smokers and obese a break in Nice. They are actually talking about allowing them to receive drugs and operations! How nice of them! I guess we're considered part of the human race after all! And that poor van couple...can you imagine getting a fine for smoking in your vehicle because they say it's your "work" vehicle.....how absurd!
People...how did things get so bad? What happened to good old common sense? Let's try to return to the "good old common sense" days and make that apparent at this November's elections. Visit the http://banthebanminnesota.com/default.aspx to check out who is running in your district and where they stand on the smoking issue (government scorecard). We will also be adding "links" where you can view how your incumbent voted on other issues in the legislature. It's important that we are "informed" voters! Maybe, we can then stop the madness!
Sheila
(P.S. Don't forget to check www.freedomtoact.com as Greg as posted other articles. Especially, take a look at what is going on in Anoka county with the local government. I feel bad for those people!)
(P.S.S. I will be at the Crow Wing County fair this Saturday (2:30 - 6:30) and Shawn will be at the Olmstead County fair this Thursday (6:15 - 10:00). We are helping out Minnesota Majority man their booth. If your in the area, drop by and see us. If interested, they are still looking for volunteers to help man the booth.)
MEP calls for EU-wide tobacco banBy Doug Newhouse, 22 July 2008While the European Commission continues to try and drive its plan to rise tobacco taxes throughout the 27-nation bloc, Irish MEP Avril Doyle has called for legislation to make it illegal to sell cigarettes and cigars within the European Union by 2025.
To read more click on the link below:
http://www.trend- news.com/ default.asp? newsid=4897
Smokers and obese must get NHS treatment despite lifestyle, says head of Nice
Smokers and the obese should receive drugs and operations on the NHS despite their lifestyle, according to the head of the Government's drugs rationing body Nice. By Rebecca Smith, Medical Editor and Robert Winnett, Political Correspondent Last Updated: 1:34AM BST 26 Jul 2008A personal lifestyle choice must not be used as a reason to deny someone treatment on the NHS, Andrew Dillon chief executive of the National Institute for health and Clinical Excellence said in an interview with The Daily Telegraph. Mr Dillon says the only circumstance where such a refusal would be justified is if the drug or treatment would not be effective unless the patient changed their lifestyle. The treatment of self induced or lifestyle factors is a central and hotly debated topic for the NHS. Earlier this week a survey of IVF clinicians found the majority do not believe smokers should receive treatment. Prof Peter Braude, of King's College London, said the reasons were that there is some evidence that smoking affects the chances of successful treatment but also the welfare of the resulting child must be taken into account. Guidelines from the British Fertility Society also say that patients with a body mass index of more than 36, classed as clinically obese, should not receive treatment because it is risky and less likely to work. Surgeons have also been debating whether obese patients should have knee replacements, as the general anaesthetic is riskier in overweight patients, but also because the replacement may not last as well. Mr Dillon said Nice asked its Citizens Council, a representative group of 30 people who have no involvement with healthcare, to consider the issue and they concluded that treatment should not be rationed according to lifestyle. He said: "The only circumstances in which we say the way people behave individually should be taken into account is if that behaviour has the effect of directly reducing the effectiveness of the treatment. "Simply because you have a lifestyle is not a reason for refusing a treatment. If that was the case any of us who go skiing would be told if you get a broken leg don't expect us to fix it. "It is a lifestyle choice if you ski, I like to ski. I go out and I know there is a much greater risk of serious injury than if I didn't go skiing or if I went walking in the Lake District or lay on a beach instead and no-one says to me because of that lifestyle choice the NHS will treat your differently. "I think we have to be extremely careful about saying that the way people live their lives is a factor in decision making and Nice has said it isn't, except where continuing with a particular pattern of lifestyle renders the treatment ineffective. " Mr Dillon said the Citizens Council had also rejected any notion of Nice weighting their decisions in favour of the young over the old or those in work over those not. He added: "Their response was that a year of life at age three was worth just as much as a year of life aged 83." When a group of schoolchildren were asked their response was the same, he said. The proposed NHS Constitution says that patients have the right to drugs and treatments that have been recommended by Nice and if your doctor believes they are appropriate for you.
http://www.telegrap h.co.uk/news/ 2460033/Smokers- and-obese- must-get- NHS-treatment- despite-lifestyl e%2C-says- head-of-Nice. html
Couple fined for smoking in own van
Published: Friday, 25 July 2008, 10:18AM
A painter and decorator and his wife have both received a £30 fines for smoking in their own van.
Gordon Williams, of Llanafan, near Aberystwyth, west Wales, and his wife Sue were on the way to buy tea bags when they were slapped with the fixed penalty fines under anti-smoking laws.
The self-employed painter and decorator hit out claiming the fines were unjustified and unfair because his van is a private vehicle and warned that British civil liberties are "going up in smoke".
He has lodged an appeal with Ceredigion County Council and claims Britain is sleepwalking into a Big Brother-style society.
The blue Suzuki van belonging to Mr Williams had been undergoing a routine check by police in Llanbadarn Fawr, outside Aberystwyth, earlier this month.
The married grandfather had just lit up when a council official approached him and dished out the on-the-spot fine. Mr Williams said it was justified to him by the accusation that his van was classed as a workplace.
He claims that he had, in fact, been working in the nearby village of Talybont that day and only ever used his van as transport.
"I was actually driving to Llanbadarn Fawr to get some tea bags from the garage, so how was I going to my place of work?" he said.
"I appreciate that a driver of a coach or a bus can't smoke at the wheel because, obviously, that is the law of the land.
"But this is insured as a private vehicle and I only use it to drive to wherever I will be working on any given day.
"Of course, there are tools and things in the van but a barrister would carry about documents in a briefcase in his own car, this is no different to my mind."
http://www.itv.com/News/Articles/Couple-fined-for-smoking-in-own-van-739954256.html
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
Just thought I would pass this on. Rather interesting what goes on at the local level.
Greg - Just thought I would pass this on. Rather interesting what goes on at the local level. Sheila
----- Original Message ----- From: "Harold Hamilton (Anoka County Watchdog)"
Sent: Friday, July 25, 2008 12:14 PM Subject: Watchdog Email Update > WWW.ANOKACOUNTYWATCHDOG.COM > > EMAIL UPDATE > > JULY 25, 2008 >
> In This Issue: >
1. Economic Problems? Not for Government! >
2. Economic Problems? Not for Government! >
3. The Heights of Foolishness. > >
1. Economic Problems? Not for Government! > There is a fundamental problem with American democracy when government > starts living better than the folks who fund government. > > Today, hard working families in Anoka County are beset by falling home > values, foreclosures, job losses, high-energy costs and high food costs. > Simply put, it's getting harder and harder for average families to > maintain a decent standard of living. > > Moreover, government doesn't seem to care. Taxes and fees are on the > rise. Property taxes continue to rise. Anoka County has raised numerous > "fees" as well as imposing a Wheelage tax on our cars as well as a sales > tax increase. > > So what is Anoka County doing to tighten its belt? Not a damn thing. Not > one damn thing. > >
The Watchdog has obtained from a source expense reports from the county > for 2007. While taxpayers were tightening their belts, the county was > wining and dining itself. Frankly, the list of expenses is nothing short > of disgusting. The excess and outright piggery is shocking. > > Below is a select sampling of expenses. The Watchdog will be posting the > complete spreadsheet on our homepage. > > Grab your barf bag and read on, brave taxpayers: > > 1/22/07 Canyon Grille $414.91 > 10/08/07 Canyon Grille $311.68 > http://www.canyongrille.com/ > > 1/26/07 Cornerstone Catering $745.50 > > 3/04/07 Oceanaire Seafood Room $403.26 > http://www.theoceanaire.com/ > > 3/1/07 Capital Grille $532.68 > > Lutsen Resort $1,056.45 (multiple dates) > http://www.lutsenresort.com/ > > 8/3/07 Craguns Lodge and Golf $325 > http://www.craguns.com/ > > 9/14/07 Grandview Lodge $384 > http://www.grandviewlodge.com/ > > 3/30/07 Ruttger's Lodge $275 > http://www.ruttgersresorts.com/baylakelodge/ > > Caribou Highlands Lodge $255.62 (two dates) > http://www.caribouhighlands.com/ > > Hilton Hotel, Washington, DC $5,460 (multiple dates) > http://www1.hilton.com/en_US/hi/hotel/DCAWHHH-Hilton-Washington-District-of-Columbia/index.do > > Jefferson Hotel, Washington, DC $1,708.73 (multiple dates) > http://www.thejeffersonwashingtondc.com/#Photo%201 > > So, Watchdogs, when was the last time you spent a few days at Lutsen or > Ruttgers? When was the last time you could afford a dinner at the Canyon > Grille or the Oceanaire Seafood Room? Ever stayed at the Hilton in > Washington, DC? Your county government has. And they used your tax > dollars to pay for it. > > The primary election is September 9th > Election Day is November 4th > http://www.sos.state.mn.us/home/index.asp?page=4 > >
2. Economic Problems? Not for Government! > A typo? Hardly. As if the fringe benefits of being a public servant > weren't enough, don't forget about the salaries. Use the salary finders > listed below to see how much some public servants are being paid. In this > economic environment, will they be taking a pay cut to share the pain? > Probably not. Not as long as you continue to tolerate rising property > taxes and free spending elected officials. > > http://extras.twincities.com/car/salaries/ > http://ww3.startribune.com/dynamic/salaries/ > > The Watchdog picked out the salary of our favorite Anoka County bureaucrat > to get the ball rolling. > > Steve Novak earns a salary of $128,703 which equates to $62 per hour. > This salary is in addition to Novak's moonlighting job as a lobbyist for a > private organization. No data is available regarding pay from that job. > http://www.cfboard.state.mn.us/lobby/lbdetail/lb701.html > > Note that Novak's hourly wage is close to the number of hours considered > full-time employment (2080 annually). So when does Novak work for the > other employer? Are taxpayers getting full-time work from this highly > compensated bureaucrat? Who knows. In fact, maybe taxpayers are better > off to have Novak work as little as possible, since his activities seem to > often entail pursuing higher taxes and more government. > >
3. The Heights of Foolishness. > You would think with all the money taxpayers give government, you could > get some real help. At the very least, you would think government would > at least give taxpayers the courtesy of doing no harm. > > No way. Watchdogs in the city of Columbia Heights have informed the Dog > of an ordinance under consideration by the city council that would force > all homeowners to undergo and pass a city inspection before being allowed > to put their home up for sale. > > Never mind that core American principle of property rights. Since when do > citizens have to get government permission to sell their home? What gives > the city the right to interfere with a private sale offering? > > The way the scheme is proposed to work is that before selling, a citizen > would have to pass an inspection certifying that the home met city code > requirements. > > Of course, the city is likely justifying this intrusion by painting > scenarios of snake infested homes and falling walls. Of course, any > potential buyer can always have an inspection conducted before buying. > > But just take a look at the city code and see what kinds of items can > flunk out a home owner: > All doors in a home cannot have a hole or puncture (5A.201(c)); > All bathrooms must have "easily cleanable" surfaces (5A.201(d)); > Windows must be capable of being "easily" opened (5A.205(b)); > Bathroom floors must be capable of being "easily" maintained in a clean > state (5A.205(c)). > http://www.ci.columbia-heights.mn.us/city_services/city_code.asp > > Notice how subjective the standards can be. Notice how easy it would be > for some bureaucrat to impose subjective and arbitrary standards that have > little to do with true health and safety. > > Wake up, Columbia Heights. The council will consider this matter July 28! > This is a bureaucratic nightmare waiting to happen. > http://www.ci.columbia-heights.mn.us/ > http://www.ci.columbia-heights.mn.us/departments/pdf/Sequence_to_Closing_Chart_web.pdf >
----- Original Message ----- From: "Harold Hamilton (Anoka County Watchdog)"
Sent: Friday, July 25, 2008 12:14 PM Subject: Watchdog Email Update > WWW.ANOKACOUNTYWATCHDOG.COM > > EMAIL UPDATE > > JULY 25, 2008 >
> In This Issue: >
1. Economic Problems? Not for Government! >
2. Economic Problems? Not for Government! >
3. The Heights of Foolishness. > >
1. Economic Problems? Not for Government! > There is a fundamental problem with American democracy when government > starts living better than the folks who fund government. > > Today, hard working families in Anoka County are beset by falling home > values, foreclosures, job losses, high-energy costs and high food costs. > Simply put, it's getting harder and harder for average families to > maintain a decent standard of living. > > Moreover, government doesn't seem to care. Taxes and fees are on the > rise. Property taxes continue to rise. Anoka County has raised numerous > "fees" as well as imposing a Wheelage tax on our cars as well as a sales > tax increase. > > So what is Anoka County doing to tighten its belt? Not a damn thing. Not > one damn thing. > >
The Watchdog has obtained from a source expense reports from the county > for 2007. While taxpayers were tightening their belts, the county was > wining and dining itself. Frankly, the list of expenses is nothing short > of disgusting. The excess and outright piggery is shocking. > > Below is a select sampling of expenses. The Watchdog will be posting the > complete spreadsheet on our homepage. > > Grab your barf bag and read on, brave taxpayers: > > 1/22/07 Canyon Grille $414.91 > 10/08/07 Canyon Grille $311.68 > http://www.canyongrille.com/ > > 1/26/07 Cornerstone Catering $745.50 > > 3/04/07 Oceanaire Seafood Room $403.26 > http://www.theoceanaire.com/ > > 3/1/07 Capital Grille $532.68 > > Lutsen Resort $1,056.45 (multiple dates) > http://www.lutsenresort.com/ > > 8/3/07 Craguns Lodge and Golf $325 > http://www.craguns.com/ > > 9/14/07 Grandview Lodge $384 > http://www.grandviewlodge.com/ > > 3/30/07 Ruttger's Lodge $275 > http://www.ruttgersresorts.com/baylakelodge/ > > Caribou Highlands Lodge $255.62 (two dates) > http://www.caribouhighlands.com/ > > Hilton Hotel, Washington, DC $5,460 (multiple dates) > http://www1.hilton.com/en_US/hi/hotel/DCAWHHH-Hilton-Washington-District-of-Columbia/index.do > > Jefferson Hotel, Washington, DC $1,708.73 (multiple dates) > http://www.thejeffersonwashingtondc.com/#Photo%201 > > So, Watchdogs, when was the last time you spent a few days at Lutsen or > Ruttgers? When was the last time you could afford a dinner at the Canyon > Grille or the Oceanaire Seafood Room? Ever stayed at the Hilton in > Washington, DC? Your county government has. And they used your tax > dollars to pay for it. > > The primary election is September 9th > Election Day is November 4th > http://www.sos.state.mn.us/home/index.asp?page=4 > >
2. Economic Problems? Not for Government! > A typo? Hardly. As if the fringe benefits of being a public servant > weren't enough, don't forget about the salaries. Use the salary finders > listed below to see how much some public servants are being paid. In this > economic environment, will they be taking a pay cut to share the pain? > Probably not. Not as long as you continue to tolerate rising property > taxes and free spending elected officials. > > http://extras.twincities.com/car/salaries/ > http://ww3.startribune.com/dynamic/salaries/ > > The Watchdog picked out the salary of our favorite Anoka County bureaucrat > to get the ball rolling. > > Steve Novak earns a salary of $128,703 which equates to $62 per hour. > This salary is in addition to Novak's moonlighting job as a lobbyist for a > private organization. No data is available regarding pay from that job. > http://www.cfboard.state.mn.us/lobby/lbdetail/lb701.html > > Note that Novak's hourly wage is close to the number of hours considered > full-time employment (2080 annually). So when does Novak work for the > other employer? Are taxpayers getting full-time work from this highly > compensated bureaucrat? Who knows. In fact, maybe taxpayers are better > off to have Novak work as little as possible, since his activities seem to > often entail pursuing higher taxes and more government. > >
3. The Heights of Foolishness. > You would think with all the money taxpayers give government, you could > get some real help. At the very least, you would think government would > at least give taxpayers the courtesy of doing no harm. > > No way. Watchdogs in the city of Columbia Heights have informed the Dog > of an ordinance under consideration by the city council that would force > all homeowners to undergo and pass a city inspection before being allowed > to put their home up for sale. > > Never mind that core American principle of property rights. Since when do > citizens have to get government permission to sell their home? What gives > the city the right to interfere with a private sale offering? > > The way the scheme is proposed to work is that before selling, a citizen > would have to pass an inspection certifying that the home met city code > requirements. > > Of course, the city is likely justifying this intrusion by painting > scenarios of snake infested homes and falling walls. Of course, any > potential buyer can always have an inspection conducted before buying. > > But just take a look at the city code and see what kinds of items can > flunk out a home owner: > All doors in a home cannot have a hole or puncture (5A.201(c)); > All bathrooms must have "easily cleanable" surfaces (5A.201(d)); > Windows must be capable of being "easily" opened (5A.205(b)); > Bathroom floors must be capable of being "easily" maintained in a clean > state (5A.205(c)). > http://www.ci.columbia-heights.mn.us/city_services/city_code.asp > > Notice how subjective the standards can be. Notice how easy it would be > for some bureaucrat to impose subjective and arbitrary standards that have > little to do with true health and safety. > > Wake up, Columbia Heights. The council will consider this matter July 28! > This is a bureaucratic nightmare waiting to happen. > http://www.ci.columbia-heights.mn.us/ > http://www.ci.columbia-heights.mn.us/departments/pdf/Sequence_to_Closing_Chart_web.pdf >
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