The Texas Rangers are headed for their first World Series, got there by outplaying overpaid talent.
I know it sounds strange, but let me stretch the metaphor: Speak Out San Angelo has opposed the Smoke Free Initiative from jump street. Smoke Free wants to redefine privately owned busineses as "public places". City Hall is a public place; the Library is a public place, hospitals etc. are public places, and I would not dream of firing up a cig there. Any time tax dollars get involved, a place is "public"
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Our Speak Out group has been out spent about 4 to one. We don't have Austin-based foundations flinging $10k at us. Speak Out represents local businesses, local patrons, and local employees who CHOOSE a smoking environment. We fully support the right of people to live a smoke-free life; just walk by the sign that says "We Allow Smoking Here".
Kick this can down the road. Council will revisit our ordinance and amend it. Even Smoke Free admits they went too far, but under I&R it's "all or none".
