Kroeger_John re Proposed Smoking BanMembers of the City Council Dubuque Iowa
My name is John Kroeger, I currently reside at 2930 Kane Street
Dubuque, Iowa. I have been a resident of Dubuque Iowa or
Dubuque County for approximately the past 50 years.
The purpose of this letter is to formally request to be heard at the
City Council meeting of January 22, 2008 on the issue of the
discussion of passing the possible ordinance of banning smoking in
all public places within Dubuque, Iowa.
I have enclosed in advance a preface of the direction in which I
wish to address the Council.
Very S
~ b
QO
~~ a T'
j C'
~ ~ r-r?
~ ~ ,~
4~
-.,
1`~ ~ ` ~
rv t~"I
D ~.. l.~
a~
WHERE HAVE WE GONE WRONG? It seems that the Government
Agencies have forgotten many things that brought about this great Nation
that we live in.
CASE IN POINT: Both small and large businesses from the beginning of
this Great Nation were willing to extend their selves financially to bring
about what was once known as FREE ENTERPRISE. With their hard earned
money and financial backing they provided jobs for the people who couldn't
afford to invest, or didn't want to take the risk. These businesses also
provided a tax base so that our government could provide all the luxuries
that we all enjoy in the U.S.A .Not to mention new employment that was
created for government employees.
WHERE AM I GOING WITH THIS? THE ANSWER IS QUITE CLEAR ! !
When is government in general going to stop trying to regulate this
magnificent country into what is NO LONGER FREE ENTERPRISE? It's
okay that we pay taxes on all our very difficult work to keep this country
running. HOWEVER ! ! !NOW THE GOVERNMENT HAS A BETTER
PLAN FOR ALL BUSINESS OWNERS. After centuries of successful
enterprise, our government has a better plan to run our businesses.
NAMELY TO RESTRICT SMOKING WITHIN THEIR OWN
ESTABLISHMENTS. At what point in time did the government put up one
cent to establish these businesses? The answer is possibly through loans that
had to be paid back. TO THE POINT: `'VHAT RIGHT DOES THE
GOVERNMENT AT ANY LEVEL HAVE TO DICTATE HOW A
BUSINESS IS TO BE SUCCESSFULLY RUN? To restrict how that
business is to be successfully run within the parameters of the current and
existing laws? NOW IT ALL HAS TO BE CHANGED to suit a small
faction of radicals that do not endorse smoking in public places. My
contention is this. If the business is operating under compliance of current
law, and paying the appropriate taxes, what right does the government have
to now in the tear of 2008 have to intercede and create a NEW LAW that
restricts that business to operate as it has for the past several hundred years?
LOOK......It worked for centuries that a person could run their own
business, make their own rules to comply with government regulations, and
have a very smooth running country. Now in 2008 it appears that for
centuries we have been doing it all wrong. We can not govern our own
businesses without new and additional government intervention.
If a business elects to allow smoking on their premises as it has been done
for centuries, WHY NOW? Have these owners been incapable of making
their OWN DECISION whether to allow smoking, or to ban smoking in
their facilities? That is a decision that the governmental agencies have NO
RIGHT to tell businesses how to conduct their smoking policies within their
own tax paid premises. I refer back 20 years ago. Many important decisions
were made in "Smoke filled rooms" and the country as a whole benefited
from these same meetings. We have become a Great and envied nation
because of these decisions. NOW ! ! ! The government has a better plan. They
will MANDATE how businesses should be run. "YOU ARE NOT
ALLOWED TO LET PATRONS SMOKE IN YOUR OWN
ESTABLISHMENT because some zealots have approached us and said
"That is bad for business". I have to ask, how many of these zealots actually
own their own business? I lrnow the answer, VERY FEW.
At some point in time, our forefathers drafted a fine document that the
U.S.A. has stood for. It says "FOR THE PEOPLE, BY THE PEOPLE, AND
OF THE PEOPLE, AND WE WILL AL,L HAVE CERTAIN
INAILENABLE RIGHTS". If I interpret this doctrine properly, this is to
mean that if you are a citizen and conduct yourself within the law YOU
HAVE RIGHTS. That would mean the right to CHOSE. Chose if you want
to put up neon lights to attract customers, provide rules and regulations for
your employees to abide by, pay your business taxes, and so on. Now the
government wants to concede to a small focus group. You will NO
LONGER have these inalienable rights. As if all businesses aren't regulated
enough the way it is. NOW, we will make another new rule for you. Forget
the fact that you will possibly lose some revenue because of what we tell
you it's our (government) decision and you comply OR ELSE. HOW
WRONG IS THIS THINKING? It was okay last year and a hundred years
prior, but it's wrong now.
TO SIMPLIFY: Wouldn't it be feasible to allow these businesses to run the
way they want it run? If Village Inn elects not to allow smoking within their
establishment, that's their inalienable right. They have it posted NO
SMOKING. Okay, as a smoker I know that going in. It's my choice whether
I want to enter or not. HOWEVER, what would be wrong with this very
simple concept? Businesses that allow smoking post a sign CLEARLY.
"THIS IS A SMOKING FACILITY". Then when entering patrons could
decide whether or not they want to enter. Quite simple I think. Then that
would notify an ardent non smoker that they would be subjected to the inside
atmosphere. As a non drinker, I know that alcohol is served in bars,
therefore I don't enter, because I know the inside atmosphere. I also know of
a few local restaurants that when entering that I will encounter the smell of
grease, onions, etc., therefore I do not enter. The solution is not to make a
blanket law to forbid smoking in all public places, but to post a sign
indicating that THIS IS NOT A SMOKE FREE ENVIRONMENT. Thus
patrons can decide on their own if they want to enter or not. There is no
government intervention needed here. No need to make a blanket law for
ALL BUSINESSES. Just a simple sign stating that this is a smoking
environment. When I go to a restaurant I enjoy conversation with friends
having my cigarette, and enjoying the evening. With an all out smoking ban
Now you have taken that inalienable right away from me, and others like
me. All businesses especially bars should have the liberty to establish their
own smoking policies. They put up the capitol to invest, let them either reap
the reward or fail because of their elected "smoking policy". I sincerely
doubt you will ever find a going out of business sign posted. "GOING OUT
OF BUSINESS BECAUSE WE ALLOWED SMOKING"
I will be enclosing an article on how a blanket non smoking policy rule has
affected the casinos in Atlantic City, N.J. I think it as a "HUGE WAKE UP
CALL". Since we in Dubuque have embarked on a sizable investment in all
our local casinos. This article was written by a very ardent NON SMOKER,
However, stating the FACTS that the no smoking rule has affected the entire
state of New Jersey in general.
I won't go into the rhetoric about alcohol and its ramifications. However I
will state that as a reformed "alcoholic" I have never been divorced because
of smoking.
I feel that the City of Dubuque would better serve the community by
focusing on the "METH ISSUES That are well known statewide. That's an
illegal drug pure and simple ! ! ! ! The way it stands, I would be less accepted
to Finley Hospital as a smoker than a Meth addict. The Meth addict has the
pre conceived notion that they "have a really really bad problem" and should
be treated. And why is it that when I go to the doctor I am not asked how
much Meth that I have used over the past year? How much cocaine? How
much Marijuana? ALL ILLEGAL DRUGS ! ! !
I ASK THE City of Dubuque not to succumb to follow the radical activists, I
ask further that they not follow other States that restricting smoking is "in
Vogue". I further ask that we stand on our individuality as a City and take a
stand. That if you smoke you will be allowed to do in some places, and not
in others. Be sure to read the sign before entering if smoking is offensive to
you. If you are a non smoker and its posted NO SMOKING walk in and
ENJOY ! If it's posted that this is a smoking environment and you are a
smoker, walk in and ENJOY !Therefore we can ALL have our inalienable
rights that are FOR THE PEOPLE, OF THE PEOPLE, AND BY THE
PEOPLE. As we have lived hundred years prior. I urge the City Council of
Dubuque Iowa to firmly deny a blanket non smoking policy for all
businesses. THEY PUT UP THE MONEY, LET THEM DECIDE ! ! ! ! !
i