seriouslyfolks (anonymous) says...

sad sad sad......................

April 7, 2009 at 7:40 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

jmcmannis (anonymous) says...

I take it this is not all the results surely there is more than 1055 people that voted for or against the ban.
Not the results I was expecting this early on but hey when you have big money like CAE Walters and Sauder you can lie cheat and defraud the voters into getting your way.

April 7, 2009 at 7:42 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

history_nerd (anonymous) says...

My guess is since it says 0/20 precincts reporting, they are reporting as ballots are added in.

April 7, 2009 at 7:45 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Pingeon (anonymous) says...

There was 1100+ advance votes.

April 7, 2009 at 7:51 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

jmcmannis (anonymous) says...

Never voted in a local election before, so was not sure how many presicnts there are and if that what it meant.
So there is still hope our rights will be preserved.

April 7, 2009 at 8:01 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

ksnewsie (anonymous) says...

Good be just the advanced ballots.

April 7, 2009 at 8:01 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

glarson (anonymous) says...

In this election, some precincts were combined. Normally, we see 33 precincts. This time, we're told there are only 20 precincts to tabulate. Not all of them will be Emporia city precincts. Some will be county precincts. That means, we're not sure when we'll see the final numbers on the smoking question.

April 7, 2009 at 8:10 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

admireed (anonymous) says...

0/20 is advance vote only

April 7, 2009 at 8:12 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

bnance (anonymous) says...

Gwen has it.

April 7, 2009 at 8:21 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

seriouslyfolks (anonymous) says...

Oh good. Liberty still has a chance!

April 7, 2009 at 8:34 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

justaflushaway (anonymous) says...

I see a recount coming, While all are watching the vote,be my guest and go vote on how you feel YOUR president is doing

April 7, 2009 at 8:39 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

imagine (anonymous) says...

unless the fix is in

April 7, 2009 at 8:40 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

driveonby (anonymous) says...

A few minutes ago it was 16/20 reporting, now it is back to 15/20, WHAT"S UP????????????????????????? Someone make sure and check the count at the Nursing School where the electioneering was going on this morning.

April 7, 2009 at 8:43 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

jmcmannis (anonymous) says...

5 precincts to go and the no votes have the lead by 122. Awesome. Thanks for the info gwen.

April 7, 2009 at 8:44 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

glarson (anonymous) says...

stay tuned gang. brandy says final numbers coming up.

April 7, 2009 at 8:50 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

ksnewsie (anonymous) says...

Can you say RECOUNT?

April 7, 2009 at 8:53 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Blue_Dog (anonymous) says...

How many provisionial ballots are there?

April 7, 2009 at 8:54 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

bnance (anonymous) says...

FINAL numbers are up. Provisionals will have to be counted folks. This is a close one.

April 7, 2009 at 8:54 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

bnance (anonymous) says...

I will have the provisional answer for you shortly folks. I'm going to find that answer now.

April 7, 2009 at 8:55 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

ksnewsie (anonymous) says...

When do they count the provisional ballots? Tonight?

April 7, 2009 at 8:56 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

imagine (anonymous) says...

i was afraid the fix was in

April 7, 2009 at 8:58 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

driveonby (anonymous) says...

Thanks SO much to the Emporia Gazette for your non biased reporting on this issue, especially Gwen. We will NOT forget.

April 7, 2009 at 8:58 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

driveonby (anonymous) says...

Thanks SO much to the Emporia Gazette for your non biased reporting on this issue, especially Gwen. We will NOT forget.

April 7, 2009 at 8:58 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

glarson (anonymous) says...

there's the final numbers. A 15-vote margin. Our Gazette reporters will have stories with reaction up as fast as they can. They're at the courthouse and talking to the leaders of both sides.

We know there are a few provisional ballots. Don't have a number yet, but Brandy's getting that.

Remember... none of the votes are official until Friday's canvass by the county commission. That's when the validity of the provisional ballots will be determined and added to the count.

Gwen

April 7, 2009 at 8:58 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

jmcmannis (anonymous) says...

Damn this smoke ban is down to winning or losing by 18 votes.

So is a recount possible if it is to close to call

April 7, 2009 at 8:58 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

jmcmannis (anonymous) says...

So does that mean we have til Friday to switch over?

April 7, 2009 at 9 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

irishemporia (anonymous) says...

Let's all go to Josie's and celebrate. First round is on me!!!

April 7, 2009 at 9:02 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Pingeon (anonymous) says...

Am I understanding you correctly Gwen that the county has to approve the votes? The same county commission that has the head of CAE sitting on it?

April 7, 2009 at 9:02 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

bnance (anonymous) says...

Hey folks:

I'm still at the Lyon County Courthouse. They are in the process of counting provisional ballots and paper ballots. Numbers will NOT be final until Friday. They are counting as we speak but we likely won't have all the numbers until tomorrow morning. I will be hanging around here for another hour and will load a story ASAP. Thanks for your patience. These things take time!

April 7, 2009 at 9:04 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

driveonby (anonymous) says...

By tomorrow afternoon Gwen will report a landslide referendum FOR the ban.

April 7, 2009 at 9:05 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Blue_Dog (anonymous) says...

Was this a binding election or advisory for the City Commission?

Will be interesting to see recount with this all electronic vote.

April 7, 2009 at 9:06 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

jmcmannis (anonymous) says...

I voted by paper ballot cause I do not trust the machines. Guess I should have no better not to trust it to the county commission to decide since the founder of this retarded ban is on it.

Well goodbye rights, unless there is an 11th hour miracle.

April 7, 2009 at 9:08 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

bnance (anonymous) says...

In answer to a question above, yes, the Lyon County Commission will canvass the votes on Friday. That is when they will be officially final. Stay tuned!

April 7, 2009 at 9:08 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

seriouslyfolks (anonymous) says...

back to my original post.
sad sad sad..................

April 7, 2009 at 9:08 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

gemini (anonymous) says...

If the vote was swinging the other way would pro-ban individuals would be screaming for a re-count? Doubt it but I guess we will see.
Guess this is all just part of the conspiracy theory.

April 7, 2009 at 9:14 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Tell (anonymous) says...

What ever happens I hope Gwen is ashamed in the way this so called study was published on Saturday.

April 7, 2009 at 9:14 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

jmcmannis (anonymous) says...

Isnt that kinda of biased since the head of the CAE is a part of the county commission. She can vote her way and the the anti smoking crowd wants or however the grant money falls.

I wish that the head of the CAE would recuse herself since she has a huge stake in the outcome of this retarded bill

Dont tread on me

April 7, 2009 at 9:14 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

bbob (anonymous) says...

Way to go Emporia!

April 7, 2009 at 9:16 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Hillbilly (anonymous) says...

I live in the country and vote for county commissioners

I was unable to vote on the ban because I live outside the city

I will have the vote checked and finalized by county commission

anyone see a problem besides me??

April 7, 2009 at 9:17 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

eatasheep69 (anonymous) says...

(Takes a deep breath) Emporia is smelling even better already!

April 7, 2009 at 9:19 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Pingeon (anonymous) says...

Amanda - yes they would.

April 7, 2009 at 9:19 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

justthinkin (anonymous) says...

I could wait until Friday - when the County Commission makes the FINAL ANSWER - but I'll go ahead & say, Thanks, Theresa, for the screw - best Lyon County Residents have had for a long time. And, thanks also for the reminder, not to trust electronic votes - Next time I'll cast a paper ballot, just so I KNOW my vote can't be altered..... Not that enough electronic votes won't be altered to get the desired end result. So goes the "system"

April 7, 2009 at 9:21 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

jmcmannis (anonymous) says...

The election was bought plain and simple.

Your not blind Hillbilly.

I cannot wait to hear meths or rbows take on this travesty of our civil liberties

April 7, 2009 at 9:21 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

jmcmannis (anonymous) says...

The election was bought plain and simple.

Your not blind Hillbilly.

I cannot wait to hear meths or rbows take on this travesty of our civil liberties

April 7, 2009 at 9:21 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

jmcmannis (anonymous) says...

srry for the double post

April 7, 2009 at 9:23 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

gemini (anonymous) says...

Actually, even more troubling than the close vote is the AMOUNT of votes...less than 5000 in a town of 20,000? That's pathetic, Emporia.

(and please excuse my horrible grammar in the post above...just too anxious, I guess)

April 7, 2009 at 9:23 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

justthinkin (anonymous) says...

I agree, SAD, SAD, SAD

April 7, 2009 at 9:24 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

jmcmannis (anonymous) says...

Eat asheep according to your post (Takes a deep breath) Emporia is smelling even better already!

I have to disagree the stench of the screwing we got and the tarnished image of the men and women that died to give us unalienable rights is enough to make one sick.
If this vote stands you will see Emporia Business take a nose dive, just look at the post about the Noose bar.
Many bars cannot build a beer garden without blocking the alley or being in the street.

Thank you T Walters CAE, Tobacco Free KS and Sauder for spitting on the constitution of the united states and taking the rights for business owners to choose.
And a big applause to Gwen and the Gazette for being suckered into publishing a worthless piece of dribble 4 days prior to the election without the facts, Shame on you

April 7, 2009 at 9:27 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

BabyGirlSissy (anonymous) says...

i now feel sick to say i was born and raised in emporia. this used to be a good town. not anymore tho.

April 7, 2009 at 9:28 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

arminius (anonymous) says...

Smells like some sore losers. It's a democracy folks.

April 7, 2009 at 9:29 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

wyse_guy (anonymous) says...

What the heck are they doing digging some voters up ? Maybe they should bring somebody in from the outside to count I dont trust any of them.Go figure not until friday who would of ever thought this would get messed up. Maybe they could bring in some grade school kids to help. Its been a set up vote from the start saying who can vote and who cant what a joke. Its a city vote not a county why is the county comm doing anything with it when thier on the cae. WE MIGHT AS WELL BE CALLED FLORIDUH IF OUR COMMISIONERS CANT COUNT ELETRONIC VOTES. How many county commisioners are there?

April 7, 2009 at 9:29 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

justthinkin (anonymous) says...

My last question is, as fast as the comments are coming, Gwen, how are you handling the censorship.... must be tough to see the truth about your biased reporting.... interesting to look in tomorrow to see how many you remove....

April 7, 2009 at 9:30 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

driveonby (anonymous) says...

Actually, the head of the CAE should be required to recuse, as her organization DOES receive benefits from grants, and she directs ad money from private foundations. She has a direct interest in this. Unreal. You guys REALLY need to check the numbers from the nursing school.... I'm thinking there's going to be an issue there.

April 7, 2009 at 9:30 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

kscrusader (anonymous) says...

Sour grapes certainly aren't becoming of you, driveonby.

Isn't it just like a defeated, immature person to begin blaming third parties when they don't get their way? I am certain that all the weeping, gnashing of teeth, and name calling have only begun.

With all the electioneering, pandering to the press, 11th hour air quality tests, and perceived electronic vote tampering, I can hear Oliver Stone's private jet firing up its engines. Conspiracy theorists of the world unite!!! A movie is destined to be made.

Alert the lawyers, wake the judges, and send out the juror notices! Surely, there was fraud if the CAE won. I am just certain of it! Freedom of the press can't be in the constitution, and if it is, surely journalistic ethics have been breached.

Wow! Are we really that litigious in our society today? I guess so.

The sad truth is that the only reputation that has been sullied is your own. There will come a day of reckoning and someone will have to answer for all the hate that has been troweled out. Emporia has something to cheer about now. The election is over. When the recounts have been processed and the final decision made, finally we can get back to the business of healing a community grossly divided by negativity and hate.

April 7, 2009 at 9:33 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

gemini (anonymous) says...

WHEN did the sign at the nursing school get placed? I didn't even know that was a polling place and I'm guessing many others didn't either. Also, Steve admitted to having one posted at his business across from the old courthouse. It's really a non-issue. I'm sure most people went in to vote with a clear idea of what they wanted and were not persuaded by a sign.

April 7, 2009 at 9:35 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

bigrig13 (anonymous) says...

Well put ksucrusader!

April 7, 2009 at 9:38 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

ProudMommy (anonymous) says...

BigGirlSissy--
It's sad that your definition of a "good" town has to be one that allows smoking everywhere. I have to say I've never been more proud to live in Emporia.

April 7, 2009 at 9:40 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

wyse_guy (anonymous) says...

Why is it they cant be counted today ELECTION day?

April 7, 2009 at 9:40 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

justthinkin (anonymous) says...

OK- One more comment, in review.... who really cares about all the "races"... Funny, the Gazette places the vote everyone is interested in, NOT at the bottom, but just next to it in the report...... Remind me again, what side was the Gazette on? THIS REEKS.

April 7, 2009 at 9:41 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Steve_Corbin (anonymous) says...

Brandy-
What are the statues deliniating a "provisional ballot"? Does a write-in on the commissioners or school board candidates make an entire ballot 'provisional'?

April 7, 2009 at 9:42 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

slvrnblck (anonymous) says...

Great question Steve. I would like to know the answer to that also.

April 7, 2009 at 9:44 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

taxpayer (anonymous) says...

Either way you look at the vote turnout....our rights are taken away....if people vote yes then it is unfair to business owners, but on the flip side it's not fair to nonsmokers, children, and citizens with lung problems to enter an eating establishment that allows smoking...either way it's unfair. There should be an in between....clubs/bars okay to smoke, but all eating establishments should be non-smoking.

April 7, 2009 at 9:44 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

pizza (anonymous) says...

I find it sad that Walters and Sauder have gone to so much trouble to divide a community over an issue that is absolutely none of their business. The community has enough problems without people like this doing all they can to take away our rights and take away what little pride is left in our area. I would be terribly ashamed if I were one of those unpleasant people.

April 7, 2009 at 9:45 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

BabyGirlSissy (anonymous) says...

smoking wasnt allowed everywhere. They targeted the bars which is not right there is no smoking in resturants except one so that wasnt the issue. Your not seeing the big picture which is just fine be blind to it then if you want. Im not blind and i see what they are doing. And Im no longer proud to say emporias my home town. And if i had the funding to move out of this town i would just for the fact of emporia now SUCKS!

April 7, 2009 at 9:48 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

grimm515 (anonymous) says...

When your habit infringes on other peoples health it's time to draw the line. No one is saying you can't smoke at your homes or out in public. If you want to ruin your lungs, that's fine. But, other people should not have to suffer for your choices.

April 7, 2009 at 9:51 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

ProudMommy (anonymous) says...

I actually do see the bigger picture here that many people have seemed to overlook. I am not here to debate but in the long run this will have many positive effects on our community.

April 7, 2009 at 9:54 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

BigE (anonymous) says...

jmcmannis- nothing solidifies your credibility like dropping the word retard in every other post. Nice work...real classy

April 7, 2009 at 9:54 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

bigrig13 (anonymous) says...

WE, including Walters, Sauder, Corbin, and whoever else was for or against it, VOTED...that is what this country is about. We elect officials to bring concerns of the public to the table, we vote on them or we don't. There is no perfect situation to this issue.
jmcmannis...United States is a proper noun, and if you are going to slam the voters for voting yes and comparing it to spitting on the constitution and brave soldiers at least respect the country you are talking about.

April 7, 2009 at 9:54 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

taxpayer (anonymous) says...

I see it both ways....it is my choice to go to bars with the smoke, but I shouldn't have to eat somewhere with my kidsw that allows smoking....like I said it's not fair for either side! I am proud to say Emporia is my town....

April 7, 2009 at 9:55 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

wyse_guy (anonymous) says...

How many provisional ballots were there? Frist KVOE said 20 then 20 to 23. hmm

April 7, 2009 at 9:55 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

glarson (anonymous) says...

Just a few comments on some of the election questions:

1. State law (perhaps national) requires election results to be certified by the county election board, which is the county commission. This always is done on the Friday morning following the Tuesday election. It was done that way back in November. And every county board in the state was doing it. This is nothing new and has no ties to what was on this ballot.

2. The election results were published on our Web site in the same order they were presented by the county clerk. This makes it easier and more accurate to present the results if our reporter is not having to skip around to find numbers and enter them. The actual election result printouts are public record. Anyone can ask for a copy and you'll see how confusing they can be to follow. Since we've been posting results on our Web site (for nearly 15 years), The Gazette has always ordered the results to match the county clerk's tally sheets.

Gwen Larson

April 7, 2009 at 10:01 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

eldiablo (anonymous) says...

L-O-L!!!!!!!

April 7, 2009 at 10:02 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Steve_Corbin (anonymous) says...

We heard about 75?

April 7, 2009 at 10:02 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

slvrnblck (anonymous) says...

Apparently the No vote has picked up for more ballots....it is now as close as 11

April 7, 2009 at 10:03 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Steve_Corbin (anonymous) says...

thats paper and provisional

April 7, 2009 at 10:03 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

kscrusader (anonymous) says...

I guess that I don't see many CAE folks playing in the gutter on this forum, nor trying to divide a community. They stated their case and ran an impeccable political campaign. When the discussion degenerates into personal attacks on people in our local community, one has to assess the validity of the argument supported by that person.

We all have the right to state our opinion until it spirals downward into knuckle-dragging logic and name calling. Then, the integrity of our citizenry is at stake. Simply put: it's bad form.

April 7, 2009 at 10:04 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Pingeon (anonymous) says...

It was presented as a compromise to CAE to model this after Wichita. They wouldn't even hear of it. Guess what the state's compromise is looking like now?

I see a ton of posts saying people voted yes because of the restaurant side, but didn't agree with the bar side (this includes motels too BTW). If they would have compromised, I'm not sure that EOB would have fought it. As it stands now, it looks like the state is looking at a compromise ban modeled after what Wichita did. IF it does end up going that way, Emporia will already have a more restrictive ban in place.

For those unfamiliar with Wichita's ban, the basics are that you may allow smoking indoors with 2 exceptions. You either cannot allow anyone under 18 in your place of business or you must build a separate enclosed room. This separate enclosed room must also have a separate ventilation system. If you go this route, the obviously you cannot allow anyone under 18 in the separate smoking room.

April 7, 2009 at 10:06 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

wyse_guy (anonymous) says...

http://www.emporiagazette.com/news/20...

county race

April 7, 2009 at 10:07 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

slvrnblck (anonymous) says...

rbow--

It just said paper ballots not the provisional ones.

April 7, 2009 at 10:10 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

kscrusader (anonymous) says...

YY4U -

It's "ks", not "kc". And, I would never live in KC - too much traffic.

I guess that if you can't stand the heat (or the truth), then your debating days are over.

April 7, 2009 at 10:12 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

tvarsky (anonymous) says...

I've rarely participated in forms of politics that I do not agree with until today. Some time ago I decided that I would not lend my labor to endeavors that are counter to my personal politics. Things like non sustainable government are not something that I am interested in. I couldn't tell you why if you'd injected me with a poison only you have the antidote to, but I love this town. It's seen me through some of the best and worst times of my life. That's why today, April 7th, I went to work for coercion. I told my name, signed my signature, inserted my magic voting card and pressed the screen. Later I displayed the "I Voted" sticker for the first time in the 7 years I've been "allowed." Two and a half hours later we sit in silence. Defeated. 15 g.d. votes. This town I love continues slipping slowly and surely through atrophy and sits precariously on the edge of total annihilation. Over a year ago capital flight and job loss has terminated city works projects. The current economic slump continues to screw Emporia squarely in the a ss. Thomas Frank was prophesizing more than he could know when he said "this is a civilization in the early stages of irreversible decay."

They say places like Emporia get culture a lot later than other more urban locales. This may be true, but something that is pretty quantifiable to me is how we're getting the collapse of civilization a lot faster than elsewhere. Our roads are crumbling, in many places the earth has recolonized the concrete. Our water quality steadily declines while food prices march higher and higher. This is the g.d. backbone of our country. This nation has gone from a primarily agrarian society to a net importer of sustenance food. We turn our backs on places like Emporia, KS or Riverton, WY or Ely, NV when the industry dries up. For me, however, you can keep your high fashion and bleeding edge culture. I'll remain happily here on the cusp of the decline of modern civilization as we know it. Pass your city killing ordinances and see who's left for you to save. What a beautiful messiah you've turned into.

April 7, 2009 at 10:16 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

gemini (anonymous) says...

So is it safe to say that IF this ban is voted down by the provisional ballots, EOB would be willing to work with CAE on a NEW smoking ban with restrictions geared towards dining establishments?
Or are relationships so tarnished now that we are just going to have to wait for the state-wide ban? Just trying to look towards the future....

I do think the rejoicing is a bit premature. Nothing is certain yet and as I learned from the Presidential election, disappointments DO happen.

April 7, 2009 at 10:17 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

bnance (anonymous) says...

The provisional ballots cannot be counted until Friday with county officials.

April 7, 2009 at 10:17 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

history_nerd (anonymous) says...

I think the biggest outcry here is the overall voter turnout. People just don't seem to care about the democratic system.

April 7, 2009 at 10:17 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

seriouslyfolks (anonymous) says...

taxpayer
If you didn't want to eat at a restaurant with smoke you shouldn't have. It's that simple. Most restaurant were nonsmoking. It already was fair the way I figure it. I never had a problem keeping my self or my kids away from shs and we visited plenty of restaurants. sad sad sad...........:(

April 7, 2009 at 10:19 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Lucy2009 (anonymous) says...

BabyGirlSissy:

First of all, if you are even of age to vote, did you? From your grammar and punctuation I am assuming that you are most likely too young to vote.

Second of all, you say that there is only "one" restaurant that allows smoking. The one restaurant being Applebees? Or Montana Mikes? Or is it Coach's? Oh, maybe it's Bruffs? Each of these restaurants allow smoking. Whether you are in a designated smoking section or not the smoke lingers, the smell is always present and when people are smoking the second hand smoke doesn't go straight to the filters (if the establishment even has them available). Are you saying that if you were to have a child (and I hope you don't) that you would want that child to inhale second hand smoke? I don't think so.

I understand the problems that are posed to the bars in town, The Noose and Mulligans do not have the space for outdoor smoking sections and that will possibly hurt their business, and if I had it my way smoking would only be allowed in bars, people 18 and over have the choice to go into an establishment and be in that environment if they choose. However, children can not make that choice for themselves. Try to think about more than just you and your cohorts. There is a big picture to look at here.

smoking wasnt allowed everywhere. They targeted the bars which is not right there is no smoking in resturants except one so that wasnt the issue. Your not seeing the big picture which is just fine be blind to it then if you want. Im not blind and i see what they are doing. And Im no longer proud to say emporias my home town. And if i had the funding to move out of this town i would just for the fact of emporia now SUCKS!

April 7, 2009 at 10:24 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Lucy2009 (anonymous) says...

BabyGirlSissy:

First of all, if you are even of age to vote, did you? From your grammar and punctuation I am assuming that you are most likely too young to vote.

Second of all, you say that there is only "one" restaurant that allows smoking. The one restaurant being Applebees? Or Montana Mikes? Or is it Coach's? Oh, maybe it's Bruffs? Each of these restaurants allow smoking. Whether you are in a designated smoking section or not the smoke lingers, the smell is always present and when people are smoking the second hand smoke doesn't go straight to the filters (if the establishment even has them available). Are you saying that if you were to have a child (and I hope you don't) that you would want that child to inhale second hand smoke? I don't think so.

I understand the problems that are posed to the bars in town, The Noose and Mulligans do not have the space for outdoor smoking sections and that will possibly hurt their business, and if I had it my way smoking would only be allowed in bars, people 18 and over have the choice to go into an establishment and be in that environment if they choose. However, children can not make that choice for themselves. Try to think about more than just you and your cohorts. There is a big picture to look at here.

April 7, 2009 at 10:24 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

slvrnblck (anonymous) says...

I wonder what the number of eligilble voters was. I know they had to vote in the last election to be eligible.

April 7, 2009 at 10:24 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

blulitespecial (anonymous) says...

Well,think I'll wander to town and have a beer(not in Emporia!) I used to come to Emporia late after work,but if I do now,it won't be for long.If this is how the vote goes,I have an empty building that's not over-taxed, over-regulated,and not exactly in Emporia.It will be interesting to see what happens to sales tax figures over the next few days and months.
I'm kinda wondering if fat people,BBQ,and wood stoves are next on the list of things to do away with.Maybe the city could tax beef and pork sales on the intake side,and raise sewer rates on the disposal side.Two-stroke engine oil could be taxed in the city at 200%,they could make some money and cut down smoke and noise,too.

April 7, 2009 at 10:26 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

slvrnblck (anonymous) says...

Montana Mikes is smoke free.

April 7, 2009 at 10:28 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

glarson (anonymous) says...

You've surpassed the 50-comment threshold and we're moving to a forum. No, it's not meant to stifle comment... you all have topped 1,000 comments on a news forum thread before.

Here's the forum:

http://www.emporiagazette.com/forums/...

April 7, 2009 at 10:34 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

jmcmannis (anonymous) says...

First BigE according to this point you made jmcmannis- nothing solidifies your credibility like dropping the word retard in every other post. Nice work...real classy

I only remember using the word retarded once. So I apologize if I offended you. The bill was stupid is that a better choice.

Finally bigrig13 I was typing to fast and I did not catch that I forgot to capitilize my usage of United States. Thanks I always needed a grammar teacher, that is why I do living history, I do not write or proof well.

I do respect this country just because I forgot to use proper grammar does not lessen my love or respect for this country. I have had family serve in at least 3 of the major conflicts that I know of.

SO once again thank you for the corrections, and this person who has trouble typing.

Now back to the comments on this dumb ban

April 7, 2009 at 10:35 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Pingeon (anonymous) says...

Is KVOE really reporting that the pro-ban folks are winning by only 1 vote now?

April 7, 2009 at 10:35 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )