Pat - Thanks for your e-mail and offer of help. A couple of things that could help:
1) e-mail your legislators (they really do look at their mail from their own constituients)
2) encourage other people to also e-mail their legislators
3) Spread the word about the www.freedomtoact.com website
4) Do you have a story or know of anyone with a story, that would be willing to write it up and e-mail it to me so that we can post it on the website. If you have read some of the stories on the website, you get an idea of what we are looking for.
Thanks so much. I will add you to my e-mail list for updates, if you prefer not to be added let me know. BTW, which e-mail address should I use?
Sheila
----- Original Message -----
From:
To: sheiladk@comcast.net
Sent: Saturday, March 22, 2008 2:27 AM
Subject: Thanks. I'm just trying to help
Hey Sheila,
I've been following the Freedom to Act website for several months and have been aggressively fighting here in Southern Minnesota. I'm retired form the Army and work part-time as a bartender. I've physically seen and heard the stories of the small town bars. This whole situation is bullshit. If you can think of ANYTHING I can do to help the cause, please don't hessitate to ask.
Pat Colby
Windom, MN
(507) 831-1462
Monday, March 24, 2008
Smoking bans don't play in Peoria
Smoking Ban Won't Play in Peoria!
March 19th’s Peoria Journal-Star ran a story that will have repercussions for smoking bans throughout the world! Illinois State Prosecutors ad-mitted that since their law “does not put any onus on the bar employee or bar owner to prohibit smoking," they could not file a formal charge against a bar that failed to discipline smoking customers.
While this ruling applies just to the Illinois law, it can't fail to be heard in their neighboring state of Iowa, in the troubled bars of nearby Ohio where health investigators have refused to order customers to stop smoking because "We can't make them stop. We're not police.", on the bar-theater stages of Minnesota where desperate taverns have resorted to staging "smoking plays" in which every smoker is a thespian, and anywhere around the world where governments have tried to indenture employees to act as Junior G-Men without badges.
Bartenders themselves can be fined for smoking on duty, and a bar can be fined if they fail to display "No Smoking" signs or if they provide fire-safety devices (ashtrays) for customers, but it has now been made crystal clear that the days of "Undercover Secret Smoking Police" in Illinois are over. And whether the state has the guts to enforce an ashtray ban that might leave them liable for fire deaths and damages seems unlikely.
The days of Illinois' smoking customers universally being grabbed by the scruff of the neck and tossed to the gutter are over. Spring Valley's Family Tavern, bartender Karla Carrington, and Peoria legal eagle Dan O'Day have fired a puff of smoke into the air that will be seen around the world! Wherever else bans may have played in the past, they flopped big time when they tried to take center stage in Peoria and they’re flopping even bigger time on the stages of bars all across Minnesota!
Michael J. McFaddenAuthor of "Dissecting Antismokers' Brains"http://www.thetruthisalie.com/
Visit & Support http://FreedomToAct.com
and the Tavern League of Minnesota!
March 19th’s Peoria Journal-Star ran a story that will have repercussions for smoking bans throughout the world! Illinois State Prosecutors ad-mitted that since their law “does not put any onus on the bar employee or bar owner to prohibit smoking," they could not file a formal charge against a bar that failed to discipline smoking customers.
While this ruling applies just to the Illinois law, it can't fail to be heard in their neighboring state of Iowa, in the troubled bars of nearby Ohio where health investigators have refused to order customers to stop smoking because "We can't make them stop. We're not police.", on the bar-theater stages of Minnesota where desperate taverns have resorted to staging "smoking plays" in which every smoker is a thespian, and anywhere around the world where governments have tried to indenture employees to act as Junior G-Men without badges.
Bartenders themselves can be fined for smoking on duty, and a bar can be fined if they fail to display "No Smoking" signs or if they provide fire-safety devices (ashtrays) for customers, but it has now been made crystal clear that the days of "Undercover Secret Smoking Police" in Illinois are over. And whether the state has the guts to enforce an ashtray ban that might leave them liable for fire deaths and damages seems unlikely.
The days of Illinois' smoking customers universally being grabbed by the scruff of the neck and tossed to the gutter are over. Spring Valley's Family Tavern, bartender Karla Carrington, and Peoria legal eagle Dan O'Day have fired a puff of smoke into the air that will be seen around the world! Wherever else bans may have played in the past, they flopped big time when they tried to take center stage in Peoria and they’re flopping even bigger time on the stages of bars all across Minnesota!
Michael J. McFaddenAuthor of "Dissecting Antismokers' Brains"http://www.thetruthisalie.com/
Visit & Support http://FreedomToAct.com
and the Tavern League of Minnesota!
email from Sabins Bar. One of our "heros".
My comments. Let's take some pages from the "lefty protester playbook". and post information in your bar or write to newspaper even if you don't want to risk a "bar smoking" night. A secret I have been holding back. Besides http://freedomtoact.com my other website is http://soliah.com I have been following the "Symbionese Liberation Army" beat since the June 1999 arrest of Kathleen Ann Soliah/Sara Jane Olson. I wouldn't mention this except for the totally bizzarre parole then return to prison of Soliah/Olson (that make the drudgereport.com) which kept me busy this weekend and derilict in my duties with http://freedomtoact.com (All voluntary, no pay, but I believe in your cause. So far my only cost is $7.20 for the domain name frredomtoact.com). Even if you don't want to risk a smoking theater inform police, the media, patrons and public that I started the "anti-Soliah efforts. Use your bar as a political forum for this. It's getting warm so if you want to take it outside and stay "legal" encourage and do it. We need areason to get people back to bars so why not protest (I tend to be conservative but I met a lot of women at protests ) If I ever get caught up on this I on the domain name
http://outdoorstage.com and would be glad to put it to us
Those cases were considered "unprosicutable." We achieved convictions. It many brave people who picked up the case who resulting in the convictions but I started the ball rolling. Tell this to police you encounter and also tell these same polic that the same person is behind http://freedomtoact.com. Ask them and their customers to disseminate this information. It's time to "ramp it up". I don't care for my sake, it's just tha the potential release of Soliah/Olson showed that that sore still "festers" and I have nothing to hide. Here is a diggers page I made for http://soliah.com http://ocrscans.homestead.com/dig1.html
From: Sheila Kromer
To: slatrial@netscape.net
Sent: Thursday, March 20, 2008 8:16 PM
Subject: Can we Post: How Ironic
----- Original Message -----
From: Terry Horridge
To: Sheila Kromer
Sent: Wednesday, March 19, 2008 7:39 PM
Subject: How Ironic
Sheila,
We couldn't help but notice when we paid our sales tax today, that in our Internet drop down menu the www.FreedomToAct.com website was at the top, and the www.taxes.state.mn.us was pretty close to the bottom. We like whats happening here, and are glad to be a part of it. We will support theater nights 100%, ticket or no ticket. We posted the FreedomToAct website in our front window (the biggest one in town) five times with neon pink paper. To quote Mr. Mark Benjamin "Brave People are Free People". We also made copies of Marks response to our theater night threats, and posted them around the bar so our patrons know he is behind them too. Keep up the good work. Fyi, the police have not come back to our bar. We hope this is encouraging to everyone else that has been threatened.
Mike and Terri Horridge
Sabins Bar
2 W. Lake St.
Chisholm, MN 55719
218 254-2318
http://outdoorstage.com and would be glad to put it to us
Those cases were considered "unprosicutable." We achieved convictions. It many brave people who picked up the case who resulting in the convictions but I started the ball rolling. Tell this to police you encounter and also tell these same polic that the same person is behind http://freedomtoact.com. Ask them and their customers to disseminate this information. It's time to "ramp it up". I don't care for my sake, it's just tha the potential release of Soliah/Olson showed that that sore still "festers" and I have nothing to hide. Here is a diggers page I made for http://soliah.com http://ocrscans.homestead.com/dig1.html
From: Sheila Kromer
To: slatrial@netscape.net
Sent: Thursday, March 20, 2008 8:16 PM
Subject: Can we Post: How Ironic
----- Original Message -----
From: Terry Horridge
To: Sheila Kromer
Sent: Wednesday, March 19, 2008 7:39 PM
Subject: How Ironic
Sheila,
We couldn't help but notice when we paid our sales tax today, that in our Internet drop down menu the www.FreedomToAct.com website was at the top, and the www.taxes.state.mn.us was pretty close to the bottom. We like whats happening here, and are glad to be a part of it. We will support theater nights 100%, ticket or no ticket. We posted the FreedomToAct website in our front window (the biggest one in town) five times with neon pink paper. To quote Mr. Mark Benjamin "Brave People are Free People". We also made copies of Marks response to our theater night threats, and posted them around the bar so our patrons know he is behind them too. Keep up the good work. Fyi, the police have not come back to our bar. We hope this is encouraging to everyone else that has been threatened.
Mike and Terri Horridge
Sabins Bar
2 W. Lake St.
Chisholm, MN 55719
218 254-2318
Saturday, March 22, 2008
Sabins Ticketed: Sabins Bar 2 W. Lake St. Chisholm, MN 55719
Sent: Friday, March 21, 2008 9:46 PM
Subject: Sabins Ticketed
Hello Mark,
My husband Mike just got a ticket. Believe it or not, one of our competitors down the street (Jims Sportsclub) called in the complaint. It was not even one of our customers. As a matter of fact, we have never gotten a complaint from a customer. Even the non-smokers that come to our bar support us. I guess they were pissed we had all of ten people in the bar, and we have a band. Anyway, Mike is the only one that got a ticket. The court date is Apr 14th. Its too bad the people that should be supporting us, are not. Sheila, go ahead and post.
Thanks,
Terri Horridge
Sabins Bar
2 W. Lake St.
Chisholm, MN 55719
218-254-2318
thorridge@fnbcnet.com
Subject: Sabins Ticketed
Hello Mark,
My husband Mike just got a ticket. Believe it or not, one of our competitors down the street (Jims Sportsclub) called in the complaint. It was not even one of our customers. As a matter of fact, we have never gotten a complaint from a customer. Even the non-smokers that come to our bar support us. I guess they were pissed we had all of ten people in the bar, and we have a band. Anyway, Mike is the only one that got a ticket. The court date is Apr 14th. Its too bad the people that should be supporting us, are not. Sheila, go ahead and post.
Thanks,
Terri Horridge
Sabins Bar
2 W. Lake St.
Chisholm, MN 55719
218-254-2318
thorridge@fnbcnet.com
Thursday, March 20, 2008
Minneapolis Star Tribune netlets (letter from reader) 03-19-08
http://www.startribune.com/opinion/letters/16819996.html
As bar owners continue to host "theater night" and pack in people, when will the message reach state agencies and the Legislature that Minnesotans' rights as business owners are being restricted by intrusive legislation?
The state Department of Health, in the March 5 article, claims that bar owners are violating the spirit of the ban ("Health officials to bars: No more theatrics," March 6). Why is it OK for the "spirit" of free enterprise and the constitutional right to pursue happiness to be ruthlessly savaged by the state of Minnesota's governing bodies?
The notion that smoking is bad for you and those around you is a debate of agreeable differences. The fact that society wants to trample upon the rights of a business owner is tragic. The state should reverse the smoking ban and replace it with an ordinance that requires all bars and restaurants to display on the outside of their building if they are smoking or nonsmoking establishments. If society truly believes that smoking is bad, then the smoking establishments will lose patronage and employees. Let the market dictate the rules of the game.
CHRIS LUND, HAMBURG
As bar owners continue to host "theater night" and pack in people, when will the message reach state agencies and the Legislature that Minnesotans' rights as business owners are being restricted by intrusive legislation?
The state Department of Health, in the March 5 article, claims that bar owners are violating the spirit of the ban ("Health officials to bars: No more theatrics," March 6). Why is it OK for the "spirit" of free enterprise and the constitutional right to pursue happiness to be ruthlessly savaged by the state of Minnesota's governing bodies?
The notion that smoking is bad for you and those around you is a debate of agreeable differences. The fact that society wants to trample upon the rights of a business owner is tragic. The state should reverse the smoking ban and replace it with an ordinance that requires all bars and restaurants to display on the outside of their building if they are smoking or nonsmoking establishments. If society truly believes that smoking is bad, then the smoking establishments will lose patronage and employees. Let the market dictate the rules of the game.
CHRIS LUND, HAMBURG
Wednesday, March 19, 2008
Can We Post: Letter to Dille and Urdahl
Greg - Can we post.
----- Original Message -----
From: Lia Nistler
Sent: Tuesday, March 18, 2008 12:22 PM
Subject: Letter to Dille and Urdahl
Hello- had to send something off. I would hope the rest of you consider the same. Just tell it as you see it. Nothing fancy, nothing as long as I wrote, just tell them how you feel. Even if it is ,'Please support and amenndment to the smoking ban on behalf of my establishment.' Also, leave a contact number and offer to talk to them.Good luck everyone!Keep up the good work!
Hello-
I am writing both of you, as elected officials from my area, and asking you to support an amendment to the Smoking Ban for exemptions. These have been introduced in the House as HF4032 and in the Senate as S3727.0
I was very disappointed with the passing and enactment of a total smoking ban, as there were no options offered to the small businesses that would face the brunt of this act. I am mostly speaking on behalf of the small bars in Meeker County and rural Minnesota.
Many of these establishments have been in our communities for many years. They are social gathering places for the local people and regular customers. They are the places people stop by to say "hello" when they return home for a holiday or special occasion. Once in awhile, new people do come in, however it is usually in passing through. Because of the rural area, there is not an influx of new customers to attract.
These are the businesses that were promised by the Anti Smokers that they would benefit from the smoking ban. That has not happened. In fact, if you would talk directly with the bars themselves, you will hear that liquor sales and business has not increased, but decreased. Many have cut back their hours of operation. Many bartenders have seen a decrease in their hours worked and in their tips. Many of the bars do not have much option for changing their businesses focus– for example, adding a kitchen to do food, adding a patio because they don’t have room, or again, changing their customer base to attract more business. There just isn’t much of a customer base to attract except what is in our small rural areas anyhow. Many have raised their prices just to make up the difference.
With a revenue problem facing the State of Minnesota, I would think that it would be in the best interest of these businesses for allowing the free enterprise market to handle the smoking/non-smoking issue. A customer base has been alienated and businesses are not allowed to operate as they have in the past.
I know that the amendment versions are written for the 50/50 option. However, there are other ways to handle this issue. Why not consider having businesses that want to have the choice to allow smoking, pay a FEE (Heck, they aren’t taxes anymore) and Post Clearly that they allow smoking? The business would benefit, in increased sales and revenue to the State and the State would also get a FEE on top of that. The posting would tell the Anti Smokers that there is smoking and they then have the choice to seek out businesses that want to be smoke free.
The Anti’s would have you believe that it is all about Employee health and Customer Health. I do not know of one person who goes to a bar for their health. It is a social activity. If it was about employee health, there would have been a bigger line of employees and customers testifying last spring at the hearings. NOT Blue Cross Blue Shield, Public Health Officials, Paid Anti-Smoking lobbyists like American Lung Association and the American Cancer Society. These people do not frequent the small town/rural/ blue-collar neighborhood bars anyway. They won’t frequent these bars either because of their nature.
However, your small town bars are not seeing an increase in business due to the smoking ban. I have encouraged many of your area bars to let you know their situation. However, I would hope you would stop in, purchase a beverage of your choice and ask them, “How has business been the last 6 months?” They would mostly appreciate that you are showing concern about their business and also contributing a little to their bottom line.
Thank you for your time and work on behalf of us who elected you. I would hope you would consider representing us and for our benefit.
Lia Nistler – Former Bar Owner, Watkins, MN (Depending on the former bar to make my settlement payments from the divorce, so I still have a vested interest!)
Written on behalf of Meeker County Business and Citizens for the Freedom to Choose
241 Cedar Avenue S
Watkins, MN 55389
320-764-2530
----- Original Message -----
From: Lia Nistler
Sent: Tuesday, March 18, 2008 12:22 PM
Subject: Letter to Dille and Urdahl
Hello- had to send something off. I would hope the rest of you consider the same. Just tell it as you see it. Nothing fancy, nothing as long as I wrote, just tell them how you feel. Even if it is ,'Please support and amenndment to the smoking ban on behalf of my establishment.' Also, leave a contact number and offer to talk to them.Good luck everyone!Keep up the good work!
Hello-
I am writing both of you, as elected officials from my area, and asking you to support an amendment to the Smoking Ban for exemptions. These have been introduced in the House as HF4032 and in the Senate as S3727.0
I was very disappointed with the passing and enactment of a total smoking ban, as there were no options offered to the small businesses that would face the brunt of this act. I am mostly speaking on behalf of the small bars in Meeker County and rural Minnesota.
Many of these establishments have been in our communities for many years. They are social gathering places for the local people and regular customers. They are the places people stop by to say "hello" when they return home for a holiday or special occasion. Once in awhile, new people do come in, however it is usually in passing through. Because of the rural area, there is not an influx of new customers to attract.
These are the businesses that were promised by the Anti Smokers that they would benefit from the smoking ban. That has not happened. In fact, if you would talk directly with the bars themselves, you will hear that liquor sales and business has not increased, but decreased. Many have cut back their hours of operation. Many bartenders have seen a decrease in their hours worked and in their tips. Many of the bars do not have much option for changing their businesses focus– for example, adding a kitchen to do food, adding a patio because they don’t have room, or again, changing their customer base to attract more business. There just isn’t much of a customer base to attract except what is in our small rural areas anyhow. Many have raised their prices just to make up the difference.
With a revenue problem facing the State of Minnesota, I would think that it would be in the best interest of these businesses for allowing the free enterprise market to handle the smoking/non-smoking issue. A customer base has been alienated and businesses are not allowed to operate as they have in the past.
I know that the amendment versions are written for the 50/50 option. However, there are other ways to handle this issue. Why not consider having businesses that want to have the choice to allow smoking, pay a FEE (Heck, they aren’t taxes anymore) and Post Clearly that they allow smoking? The business would benefit, in increased sales and revenue to the State and the State would also get a FEE on top of that. The posting would tell the Anti Smokers that there is smoking and they then have the choice to seek out businesses that want to be smoke free.
The Anti’s would have you believe that it is all about Employee health and Customer Health. I do not know of one person who goes to a bar for their health. It is a social activity. If it was about employee health, there would have been a bigger line of employees and customers testifying last spring at the hearings. NOT Blue Cross Blue Shield, Public Health Officials, Paid Anti-Smoking lobbyists like American Lung Association and the American Cancer Society. These people do not frequent the small town/rural/ blue-collar neighborhood bars anyway. They won’t frequent these bars either because of their nature.
However, your small town bars are not seeing an increase in business due to the smoking ban. I have encouraged many of your area bars to let you know their situation. However, I would hope you would stop in, purchase a beverage of your choice and ask them, “How has business been the last 6 months?” They would mostly appreciate that you are showing concern about their business and also contributing a little to their bottom line.
Thank you for your time and work on behalf of us who elected you. I would hope you would consider representing us and for our benefit.
Lia Nistler – Former Bar Owner, Watkins, MN (Depending on the former bar to make my settlement payments from the divorce, so I still have a vested interest!)
Written on behalf of Meeker County Business and Citizens for the Freedom to Choose
241 Cedar Avenue S
Watkins, MN 55389
320-764-2530
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)