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by kimmy78 from addieville, il

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wamac protesting smoking ban
Mar 26, 2008 | 10:22 AM
Category: News
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Wamac Smoking Ban

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story:  http://www.wsiltv.com/p/news_details.php?newsID=4458

A small Southern Illinois town is taking on the state of Illinois. Officials in Wamac, in Clinton County, are leading an effort to overturn the state smoking ban.

Wamac Mayor, Butch Mathus, is organizing a petition drive around Southern Illinois, calling for the repeal of the statewide smoking ban.

Mathus says he got behind the protest, not just because of his rights as a smoker, but because of the impact it's having on this little town of 1200 people.

He also says petitions are coming in from towns around Illinois and organizers are meeting tonight to count petitions and plan their next move. Ornanizers plan to go to Springfield on April 8th; to lobby legislators to let them know how this bill has effected small businesses and municipalities.

The ashtrays aren't the only thing missing from the tables at JoNo's Place in Wamac, owners say the customers are gone as well.

Terry Norville says the ban is cutting into his bottom line, which, in turn, hurts the state. He says, "I know when I send my revenue money in at the end of the month it's not near what it's supposed to be."

Mathus says if lawmakers don't act to repeal the ban, he plans to push for a statewide referendum, which will mean a lot more petitions. If he pushes for a statewide referendum, he'll need 420,000 signatures.

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Member Comments Total Comments: 13
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Cuteypops read my blog view my photos
Mar 26, 2008 | 10:38 AM

I'll sign it.
IneedUrHelp read my blog
Mar 26, 2008 | 12:07 PM

me too!
mr_wildflower read my blog view my photos
Mar 26, 2008 | 12:27 PM

It's probably gonna end up in a war..... Once they start protesting it the State will probably start enforcing it........
PSylvester20 read my blog
Mar 26, 2008 | 2:23 PM

Boy, it's a good thing we keep our law enforcement officers busy making sure people are smoking their cigarettes a "safe" distance from bars. Lord knows there isn't enough REAL crime on the east side to keep them busy.
TheShan2007 read my blog
Mar 26, 2008 | 3:40 PM

I say let the public decided. If allowing smoking brings in more business than a smoke free brings in, then the people have spoken.

Smokers against non smokers. Have a smoking restaurant and a non smoking restaurant and see which one fills up. Then that should be the answer. If we non smokers aren't going to fill the restaurants but the smokers WILL, then we have nothing to complain about.
Popeye-the-Sailor read my blog
Mar 26, 2008 | 9:41 PM

Remember, it's the non smokers that started this waste of time and money. If the police have to enforce it you can blame the non smokers!
Jimmy-42 read my blog
Mar 27, 2008 | 8:41 AM

I'm certainly for repealing the smoking ban, and I'm a non smoker. But, in its place should be the requirement that any establishment that allows smoking to adhere to the same basic 'safe working conditions' as other employers.

It seems strange to me that I can go to a casino in Las Vegas, and not even smell the smoke. But, I went to the new Lumier Place (sp?), and as soon as the elevator doors opened, I was almost knocked over by the smoke. The same was true of the Alton Belle and Casino Queen before the smoking ban.

Just as an aside, the 'Queen' recently was complaining about their business being down as a result of the ban. I've been there twice since the ban, and both times it was so crowded that one could hardly walk through the place.
opinionatedlady read my blog view my photos
Mar 27, 2008 | 9:01 AM

I would sign it in a hearbeat-where can I get a copy? Sure I like the end result of not smelling like smoke when I leave the bowling ally but that is a minor inconvenience. I do not agree with passing a law that affects so many people without a vote from the people. People that own their own establishments have the right to decide. Period.
kimmy78 read my blog view my photos
Mar 27, 2008 | 9:48 AM

there are various taverns across the state of IL that have copies, including JoNos in Wamac and 127 Lounge in Nashville to name a couple.
sarcasticdragon
Mar 27, 2008 | 1:37 PM

Why cant you have smoking and non-smoking establishments? Put up a sign and let people decided which they want to go to.

You wouldnt go into a rap club and complain about how you hate rap. You would leave.
Then why sit in a clearly marked smoking allowed club and complain about the smoke? Just leave.

Give people the choice?
Smoking or not?
opinionatedlady read my blog view my photos
Mar 27, 2008 | 2:12 PM

I hear you sarcasticdragon. It is crazy and then to not even have the forethought to have a way to enforce it. The wonderful Governor of Chicago(because he doesn't know the rest of Il. exist) passed this law with virtually no support in the legistature. But he had overwhelming support of the cancer society and insurance companies(lobbiests)--what does that tell you? Campaign contibutions maybe???

Kimmy--I found one on a smokers rights website--thanks
Chickenkiller read my blog
Mar 27, 2008 | 9:19 PM

Funny thing, I heard from someone inside the state commission over on this side of the river that the take at the Queen in E St. Louis was off by 24% last month.

Oh, well!
kimmy78 read my blog view my photos
Mar 28, 2008 | 10:27 AM

http://www.morningsentinel.com/news/2008/0108/News_Cent
/010.html

Wamac City Council plans to fight smoking ban
By Matthew BarbaSentinel News Staff

WAMAC - Wamac City Council plans to fight the new smoking ban.

In a unanimous vote, the Wamac City Council chose to pass a resolution in which the city will draft a letter to announce its opposition to the Smoke-Free Illinois ordinance that went into effect on Jan. 1 of this year. The Council believes that the ordinance as it applies to smoking in bars is detrimental to business.

"Businesses can't afford this. People want to go to bars and smoke, and I just don't think they will with this bill in effect," Wamac Mayor 'Butch' Mathus said.

The Council plans to send the letter that they draft to all of the state legislative leaders as well as Governor Blagojevich's office. "We plan on fighting this adamantly and it's not right for the state to come into a business, telling them how they can and can't treat their customers. We will be vocal on this matter because of the severe detriment it serves to our community and because it's not right to do this to people," Mathus said.

Concern was raised over what the state would attempt to ban next, and while only speculation could be raised, the Council was not happy with how the state has handled this particular piece of legislation.

Criticism of the ordinance also arose from the fact that the no-smoking ban is an unfunded government mandate, meaning that the city of Wamac has to foot the bill when covering the costs of enforcing the ban.
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