Saturday, August 11, 2007

Warning Letters Being Sent Despite An Invalid Smoking Ban Vote

These nasty local gov't bastards are sending mean letters to bars even though the smoking ban isn't passed!! But notice what the bar owners are saying - since there is no smoking ban business has double and tripled!! So you really think non-smokers represent any good bar business? Hell no! Non-smokers should be banned from bars!

Putnam County's smoking ban vote declared invalid last month

WEST VIRGINIA -- Bar owners in Putnam County are anxiously awaiting August 21. That's when the County Health Board is expected to take up the controversial smoking ban again.

In July the smoking ban vote was declared invalid. Still, bar owners like Bill Lanham are getting warning letters.

"Put your ashtrays up or the next time you will be taken to court and be fined," said Lanham, owner of Sneeker's Night Club in Teays Valley. While the letter bothers him, it doesn't scare him.

He says he's getting ready to battle the ban. He hopes both sides can still find middle ground because he said smokers and non-smokers can co-exist.

He believes the letter from the county is a message that a smoking ban will become a reality. Still, the invalid vote from last month has been good for bar business.

"It's doubled or tripled business, everybody coming in, all the bars I talked to it's really helped out," said Dave Frame, owner of Dave's Den in Hometown.

The health board is expected to consider the issue at their next meeting and they may even vote on a ban, but that may not be the end of the battle.

"I will appeal it. I will hire an attorney," said Lanham.

Board member Joe Haynes says he would be willing to listen to suggested modifications to the code.

Both Lanham and Frame say they hope to soon organize a Putnam County Bar Owners Association to deal with future issues pertaining to their businesses.

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