Legion Cuts Back Hours!

[Bubba]

Published 3/19/2007
By SCOTT BERSHOF
sbershof@gctelegram.com

Less than two months after a no smoking ordinance took effect in Garden City, the American Legion has decided to shut down operations two days a week, a move the fraternal organization's commander said is a direct result of the ban.

"We'll be open for five (days a week)," said Terria Judge, the legion's commander. "We'll see if we can maintain that for a while. We don't have any non-smokers. All our customers are smokers. Non-smokers never patronized us. We're not generating enough income from our clientele that smokes to pay the bills."

Judge said the local organization has about 330 members.

Garden City's five-member city commission unanimously approved the ordinance that bans smoking in all restaurants, bars, private clubs/fraternal organizations, educational facilities and public seating areas, such as bleachers, which took effect Jan.8.

The ordinance prohibits smoking within 50 feet of the main entrance or exit of a facility where smoking already is banned.

But Garden City Commissioner Reynaldo Mesa said concluding the legion's lack of business is a direct result of the ban is premature.

"I don't know what's going on with their business," Mesa said. "It may or may not be a result of the smoking ban. I've heard that membership is down in all fraternal organizations. It could be a number of factors."

After a closed meeting Sunday of the legion's seven-member executive committee and three-member board of trustees, legion officials have chosen to close the facility down on Tuesdays and Thursdays, Judge said.

"The amount of sales on those days is less than on other days," Judge said.

Possibly shutting the facility down permanently was discussed, Judge said.

The legion's decision will affect a larger segment of the community than just the organization and its members, Judge said.

Some of the community service projects the legion helps fund may now suffer, including Garden City Recreation Commission baseball and the girls-state/boys-state legislative program.

"We're having to tell them, 'Sorry, we can't do it,'" Judge said.

The legion sponsors one of 80 teams for the prep/junior league of the recreation commission's summer youth baseball program -- the first year's sponsorship costs $315, and $215 for additional years.

Judge said the American Legion's books for January show the club has lost almost $1,900 during the ban's first month, compared to the same time in 2006. The organization saw a more-than-$2,700 decrease in February.

The American Legion also was hoping to make the facility more accessible to those members who are disabled, Judge said. Because of the loss in revenue, these improvements might have to be delayed.

Even though allowing non-veterans to join the organization could help out with the group's bottom line, Judge said, it goes against the entire reason of having a private organization.

"It defeats our whole by-laws and the purpose of the American Legion when it was first developed," Judge said.

Staff writer Stephanie Farley contributed to this report.

It looks pretty obvious that the smoking ban isn't such a good thing. Now projects funded by the Post may be hurt because of the ban.

source- Garden City Telegram Online

[Lone Gunman]

That's what happens when the government tries to fix something that aint broken.

[mommiedearestx3]

I feel that there isn't any reason why an establishment that serves food or drink, be "forced" to Ban smoking. They just need to continue to have smoking and nonsmoking area. If possible, place a type of barrier in between.
I don't smoke but I feel that if people want to smoke, it's their choice.
I just ask that they respect "my air" and not smoke in my home or car.

Sounds simple??? NOT

______________________________________

"You're just jealous, the voices only talk to me."

[Highwayman]

Originally Posted by mommiedearestx3

....I just ask that they respect "my air" and not smoke in my home or car....

I’ve practiced that policy for many years. I’ve even went outside at a non-smoking friend’s house after being told it was OK to smoke inside. Respect works both ways.

If a business can make more money with a smoke free environment they should go that way because it’s good business. They don’t need a government mandate to do that.

[TexKan]

They will have 5 stories behind that to say how much banning has helped........... like they couldn't bad without the goverment saying it's OK........... geeeesh!!

Sad to hear bout the Legion..........

[Bubba]

Let's see how much the city cries when they don't get the Legion support for the Rec. Dept. baseball that they count on, and the Girl's & Boy's state program that sends pages to Topeka.

[TexKan]

Hope they stock up on Kleenix!!!

[Made in the USA]

That's OK. If'n they keep smoking, they will die off pretty quick, and then the non-smoking drunks can take over!!

[Bubba]

I know or knew plenty of old soldiers that smoked and lived well into their 90's.

[JayhawkMom]

Originally Posted by Bubba

I know or knew plenty of old soldiers that smoked and lived well into their 90's.

My Grandfather smoked NO FILTER (rolled his own) and lived to be 96.......its all in the genes baby!