Today's Feature

Non-Smoking Discussions.

The discussion of a proposed ordinance that would ban smoking in Carthage restaurants was continued by the City Council Public Service Committee on Monday evening. The proposal was initiated by committee member Timothy Teed during last month’s meeting.

Teed cited health concerns as a primary reason for initiating the discussions.

"Wherever we can get rid of second-hand smoke, I think it’s a good idea," Teed said.

Dick Fanning, owner of the Ranch House in Carthage, was in attendance of Monday’s meeting, and spoke against the proposed ban. Fanning said that his restaurant has a smoking section and a non-smoking section, and that he relies on the business from both sections.

"I’ve never had a complaint," Fanning said.

"I have a clientele that smokes, and I have an area for them."

Committee chair Bill Welch spoke on both sides of the issue. He presented a number of printed sheets with information about the effects of second-hand smoke, and noted that smoke is not always confined within the designated smoking areas in restaurants.

"Smoking has no boundaries," Welch said.

Welch also noted that it is the customer’s choice to enter a restaurant that has a smoking section.

"You don’t have to go to those restaurants," he told Teed.

Committee member Keith Hurlbut said that he had contacted a number of local restaurant owners and managers, and that many felt a smoking ban would have a negative impact on their businesses. Hurlbut added that of the individual citizens he had contacted regarding the issue he had received mixed responses, and said the division was about 50/50.

Hurlbut echoed Welch’s comment about the customer’s choice between restaurants.

"It (smoking) bothers me, but I’ve got the personal choice not to go to that restaurant," said Hurlbut.

"It’s a privately owned business. They have a right to set their own standards."

Mayor Jim Woestman was in attendance of the meeting, and when asked his opinion, said he would not like to see the City’s tax revenues decrease as a result.

Committee chair Welch said he felt the committee still needed more citizen input. City Administrator Tom Short agreed and recommended putting an online survey on the City’s website. Short also encouraged the committee members to look at a draft ordinance he provided, so that it could be further discussed at the next meeting.

Citizen input is requested for this issue. The next Public Services committee meeting is scheduled for February 2, at which point discussions are to continue. The online survey for the City website is slated to be in place soon, and the address for that page will be posted in the Mornin’ Mail when it is available.

Mornin'
Cultural policy is set almost entirely by experience. Laws are written that reflect that policy and reinforce the security of knowin’ what’s expected.

Business policy, on the other hand, is a deliberate and timely thing. Companies that can change direction quickly have proven to be much more likely to survive. One main difference between governing a democratic culture and runnin’ a business is that policy in a business is set by a few, like-minded individuals. If an employee doesn’t like the current policy, they have the option of findin’ other employment.

In a democratic culture, the overall policy is governed by tradition and is regulated by the attitudes of its citizens. Changes in policy, even if they are sometimes poor policies, are much more difficult.

This is some fact, but mostly,

Just Jake Talkin’.

• Keep a coffee can or two filled with kitty litter in your car. You might need it for tire traction or even to scatter in front of you on an icy walkway.

• Go Green Tip: Check out the Web site www.rbrc.com to find where in your area you can recycle used rechargeable batteries, like the ones from electronic games, cell phones, camcorders, cordless tools and more.

• If you want your deodorant to work harder for you, put it on at night. Since most of us don’t sweat while sleeping, it has a chance to fully be absorbed into the sweat glands overnight.

• Got a book club, moms’ group or card club? Ask for a discount at local stores for your members. In this economy, you’d be surprised how many stores will say yes to a modest discount in order to potentially get the business of a group.

• "I live in Florida, the land of many fireplaces but no need for fire -- at least in the past 10 years I have lived here. I love my fireplace, though. I installed mirrored tiles inside it, and I have a bunch of candles in there. They sparkle just like the real thing, and it’s quite beautiful." -- P.F. in Florida

• Starting that classic New Year’s diet? Try visiting the following Web sites for nutrition information: www.nutritiondata.com and www.mypyramid.gov. These two sites contain a wealth of information on healthy eating, and they’re free. You must register for Nutrition Data, but the information and calorie-tracking programs on the site are wonderfully informative and free to use.