I'd like to respond to the comment made by Jill W. on the April 17 Letters page. She goes on and on (zzzzz) about complete nonsense unrelated to the smoking ban, meanwhile completely missing the point of the smoking ban. Nonsmokers do not care how often smokers partake in their nasty habit — we just care where. Smoke all you want in a place where I don't have to inhale the filth. I should be able to sit in a bar or a restaurant and not breathe in secondhand smoke and leave with clothes and hair that smell like an ashtray. I couldn't care less if all the smokers smoke themselves to death; I just care when their choices affect me. Kansas City has finally caught up with the rest of the world. Other cities and states have had bans in place for years. It's embarrassing that it took us this long.
Oh, yeah, Jill, you forgot to add one more category of individuals to your list: selfish people who are unable to see how their actions affect others and who are also so self-absorbed that they cannot realize any perspective different from their own.
Marci Michnick, Roeland Park
Martin: "A Hand Rocks the Cradle," April 10
Diagnosis of a loved one with a condition or disease can inspire family members to lead efforts for further research and/or to improve the lives of those enduring difficult challenges. Rep. Jeff Grisamore and his wife experienced the birth of a child with a disability and her death. Their heartfelt decision of organ donation is a continuing contribution for medical research. Bringing awareness of the importance of organ donation is to be commended. Those who critique the grief of parents having lost a child are presumptuous and unkind.
Grisamore's intention to work on behalf of all disabled people might sometimes be overshadowed by those who differ on how best to achieve common goals. Sherri Tucker's comment, that she was put off by the frequency with which Grisamore talks about Rebekah and the mention of her name at a rally for Disability Rights Day in Jefferson City, is petty. Hundreds of disabled persons remain on waiting lists for day programs, respite care, transportation, etc. These people and their families are the ones entitled to feel put off.
Legislators are known to support agendas of many organizations — pro-life groups, pro-choice groups, AARP, the NEA and chambers of commerce. The developmentally disabled community is not represented by wealthy, influential organizations. It is represented by families, care givers, advocates, self advocates and Rep. Grisamore. Seeking support for his re-election is warranted. Some people can find fault no matter how the request is made.
A more worthy public service career cannot be found when it comes to representing our most vulnerable citizens: the chosen career of Rep. Jeff Grisamore.
Judy Green, Lee's Summit
As a parent of three children with disabilities, I feel so blessed to have Rep. Jeff Grisamore representing the 47th District. Over the years, I have developed relationships with many previous legislators. While they have all been willing to listen to my concerns as a parent of a child with disabilities, none have tried to do as much as Grisamore has during his time in Jefferson City. It is clear to me that having Rebekah in his life has given him the drive and passion for people with disabilities. Until you have experienced the life of raising a child with a disability, you cannot possibly imagine the physical, emotional and financial stress it causes a family. Grisamore gets it and is willing to advocate for those who cannot advocate for themselves.
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Dear Editor:
Since customers were cutting back on the use of electricity by getting energy saving light bulbs, etc., the electric companies were losing money. Consequently, they invented multipliers, which are a mathematical concept used to take advantage of the customer. These multipliers are used at the option of electric companies, so when customers aren't using enough to produce the desired profit margin, they simply raise the multipliers, and get their money. The multipliers are so high now even people who use almost no electricity are saddled with a huge bill. Even worse, the pubic utilities' commissions have been no help whatsoever.
We might point out in Fascist nations utilities are provided at cost or given freely, as they're PUBLIC.The United Fascist Union proposes electric companies'monopolies be broken, and public companies be created that would charge the public for the electric they actually use; instead of letting some fat-belly private profiteers' live the high life at the public's expense.The U. F. U.would revamp the system and make sure the Public Service Commissions of various Provinces work in public interest instead of working crooked deals with Executives of monopolies allowing them to exploit consumers.
Vote Fascist 2008!
Mr. J. Grimes
United Fascist Union
candidate for US President
Dear Editor: Since customers were cutting back on the use of electricity by getting energy saving light bulbs, etc., the electric companies were losing money. Consequently, they invented multipliers, which are a mathematical concept used to take advantage of the customer. These multipliers are used at the option of electric companies, so when customers aren't using enough to produce the desired profit margin, they simply raise the multipliers, and get their money. The multipliers are so high now even people who use almost no electricity are saddled with a huge bill. Even worse, the pubic utilities' commissions have been no help whatsoever. We might point out in Fascist nations utilities are provided at cost or given freely, as they're PUBLIC.The United Fascist Union proposes electric companies'monopolies be broken, and public companies be created that would charge the public for the electric they actually use; instead of letting some fat-belly private profiteers' live the high life at the public's expense.The U. F. U.would revamp the system and make sure the Public Service Commissions of various Provinces work in public interest instead of working crooked deals with Executives of monopolies allowing them to exploit consumers. Vote Fascist 2008! Mr. J. Grimes United Fascist Union candidate for US President
The smoking ban states as follows..."Ordinance No. 080073
Shall the City of Kansas City prohibit smoking in enclosed places of employment, enclosed public places and on public sidewalks abutting acute care hospitals, while allowing it in casino gaming areas until all casinos located in the Missouri counties of Jackson, Platte and Clay, and the Kansas counties of Johnson and Wyandotte are obligated by ordinance, statute or law to prohibit smoking within the casino areas where gambling games are allowed, as set forth in Ordinance No. 080073, for the purpose of promoting public health by decreasing citizen's exposure to secondhand smoke and creating smoke free environments for workers and citizens through regulation in the work place and all public places?"
My question is: Once an entertainment venue starts charging a cover to get in the door, hasn't that establishment gone "private?" No one can walk in off the street without paying, so it isn't anymore open to the public. So therefore can they not allow smoking customers to light up once the fee to enter begins? As far as that goes, can't places like strip clubs allow smoking, since they are a private facility? In both cases...minors are not allowed into places that charge a cover. So there is no harm in second hand smoke to minors.
The smoking ban states as follows..."Ordinance No. 080073 Shall the City of Kansas City prohibit smoking in enclosed places of employment, enclosed public places and on public sidewalks abutting acute care hospitals, while allowing it in casino gaming areas until all casinos located in the Missouri counties of Jackson, Platte and Clay, and the Kansas counties of Johnson and Wyandotte are obligated by ordinance, statute or law to prohibit smoking within the casino areas where gambling games are allowed, as set forth in Ordinance No. 080073, for the purpose of promoting public health by decreasing citizen's exposure to secondhand smoke and creating smoke free environments for workers and citizens through regulation in the work place and all public places?" My question is: Once an entertainment venue starts charging a cover to get in the door, hasn't that establishment gone "private?" No one can walk in off the street without paying, so it isn't anymore open to the public. So therefore can they not allow smoking customers to light up once the fee to enter begins? As far as that goes, can't places like strip clubs allow smoking, since they are a private facility? In both cases...minors are not allowed into places that charge a cover. So there is no harm in second hand smoke to minors.
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