Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

N.D. laundromat owner closes business, fuming over smoking ban
WHDH TV-Boston ^ | 08/06/2005 | WHDH TV Staff

Posted on 08/07/2005 10:13:06 AM PDT by elkfersupper

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) -- The day the Legislature approved a smoking ban for most North Dakota businesses, Dennis Laches put a sign on his laundry and television repair shop, announcing he would close when the ban took effect Aug. 1.

"Nobody knew if he was going to go through with it," said Troy Mosbrucker, the mayor of Mott, a town of about 800 in southwestern North Dakota. "He had a point to prove, and he proved it."

As promised, Laches closed his business that day. He said it had nothing to do with his pack-a-day habit. Rather, he said, it was a matter of fairness.

"The state of North Dakota is attempting to make me discriminate against another person or group of people," said Laches, 59. "I don't believe government of any kind should be allowed to dictate what I do at my own business and my own building."

State officials say they know of no other businesses that have closed because of the new smoking ban, though police have rounded up ash trays in some bingo parlors.

The new state law bans smoking in most public areas and workplaces. Bars are exempt, unless they have a restaurant in the smoking area. Violators can be fined up to $500. A building owner who allows illegal smoking also faces fines of up to $500 for multiple infractions within one year.

Law enforcement officers are trying to adjust to the new rules.

"It's almost embarrassing walking in and being called the smoke police," said Ward County Sheriff Vern Erck said. "We have better things to do, but we'll enforce it."

But health officials say feedback had generally been positive.

"We had some (people) call that are dissatisfied, but it's been very few," said Kathleen Mangskau, director of the Health Department's tobacco prevention and control program.

Two days after Laches closed his shop, an economic development group purchased his laundry machines, mostly to keep the 100 or so visiting custom wheat harvesters in town.

"If they leave town to do their laundry, then they leave the town grocery, the gas station and the cafe," Mosbrucker said. "Everything loses."

Laches said his business was never a moneymaker in the 17 years he owned it. Now, he'll either retire or move to another state to find work.

"If I find a job, it's going to have to be in a state that allows smoking," he said.


TOPICS: Business/Economy; Constitution/Conservatism; Culture/Society; Extended News; Government; US: North Carolina; US: North Dakota
KEYWORDS: antismoking; commiekota; libertarian; pufflist; smokingban; smokingsmokingban
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-20 ... 101-120121-140141-160 ... 221-224 next last
To: Doohickey

Strangely enough, not everyone does it for the money.

You said a mouth full! If the only reason me and "toots" lived on the ranch was to make money we would have moved to a condo a long time ago! See my home page .........LOL 


121 posted on 08/07/2005 1:13:19 PM PDT by Allosaurs_r_us (I can't use the cell phone in the car. I have to keep my hands free for making obscene gestures)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 56 | View Replies]

To: DumpsterDiver

Oh my good golly. Thanks for posting that.

The government sure is crafty about finding new ways to milk taxpayers, aren't they?


122 posted on 08/07/2005 1:16:01 PM PDT by exnavychick (Whom the gods would destroy they first make chads.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 119 | View Replies]

To: RichInOC

I used to wash my clothes in a redneck laundromat in Ft. Stockton, Tx. There was a sign that "Do not dry pelts in driers"


123 posted on 08/07/2005 1:59:06 PM PDT by ol' hoghead (never, ever go to "FREECREDITREPORT.COM. Trust me on this.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 35 | View Replies]

To: elkfersupper
police have rounded up ash trays in some bingo parlors

Were they assault ash trays?

124 posted on 08/07/2005 2:31:04 PM PDT by lowbridge
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: jocon307; Doohickey
The Custom combines start in TX in late June? each year and work their way north as the wheat crop ripens. North Dakota wheat ripens in August, and the combining has to be completed within a very small time window, I'd guess two weeks at most.

They aren't migrant workers in the traditional sense. It requires least a half million in equipment, if you're willing to run older stuff. Many will spend a million or two or three for new equpment down in TX, use it for a couple months as they travel north to Canada. They'll sell it at the end of the season, and start all over next year.

125 posted on 08/07/2005 2:47:30 PM PDT by Balding_Eagle (God has blessed Republicans with really stupid enemies.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 9 | View Replies]

To: paulat
" We are off to watch the Blue Angels over Lake Washington. They start in about a half-hour and we want a good seat ..."

Don't they have, like, combustion products coming out of them there pipes on them flyin' machines?

126 posted on 08/07/2005 3:52:51 PM PDT by NicknamedBob (Mighty and enduring? They are but toys of the moment to be overturned by the flicking of a finger.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 90 | View Replies]

To: NicknamedBob
Don't they have, like, combustion products coming out of them there pipes on them flyin' machines?

ROFLMSS!!!!!!!!!!!!!

This always cracks me up when it comes to banning smoking in airports.....just one jet sitting at the gate waiting to load luggage and passengers spits out more "combustion products" than 3 million cigarettes ..........and where does the air come from for those airports.............outside of course!!!!!!!

127 posted on 08/07/2005 4:33:35 PM PDT by Gabz (Smoking ban supporters are in favor of the Kelo ruling.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 126 | View Replies]

To: paulat; Gabz; Madame Dufarge
You know, I used to go through through life like that.

Then, I discovered that doing something as simple as buying my shirts 1/2" bigger in the collar made the world a better place.

Surely there is something you could try.

128 posted on 08/07/2005 4:34:24 PM PDT by elkfersupper
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 64 | View Replies]

To: elkfersupper
Forgot the graphic


129 posted on 08/07/2005 4:36:45 PM PDT by elkfersupper
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 128 | View Replies]

To: elkfersupper; Gabz

"Well, OK. But it'll cause a ringing in your ears..."


130 posted on 08/07/2005 4:41:02 PM PDT by NicknamedBob (Mighty and enduring? They are but toys of the moment to be overturned by the flicking of a finger.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 129 | View Replies]

To: elkfersupper

OH MY - that is just SOOOOOOOOO funny!!!!!!!!!!!


131 posted on 08/07/2005 4:41:06 PM PDT by Gabz (Smoking ban supporters are in favor of the Kelo ruling.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 128 | View Replies]

To: Doohickey; jocon307
"I think that's code for "migrant farm worker"

Uh, no. Custom cutters run the entire length of the midwest fllowing the ripening crops. Since small farmers can't afford to each own a large fleet of Combines and trucks etc to harvest their entire crop in the narrow window, the Custom Cutters come through and harvest for a percentage, and everyone is happy. There may be a couple of the truck drivers or what-have-you that are illegals, but it is NOT like the tomato pickers or lettuce pickers in california.

132 posted on 08/07/2005 4:56:47 PM PDT by sam_paine (X .................................)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 54 | View Replies]

To: Balding_Eagle; jocon307; Doohickey

Eagle, you beat me. And I'll admit yer answer was less snide than mine!


133 posted on 08/07/2005 5:03:12 PM PDT by sam_paine (X .................................)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 125 | View Replies]

To: sam_paine
That's right, it is a true manufacturing business. Seasonal, short time period in which to make hay, millions of dollars at stake - both for the custom harvesters and farmers.

Hard work, long hours, every imaginable kind of disaster around the corner all day every day.

Been there, done that. It's a tactical and logistical nightmare that can be highly profitable for all involved, if done right.

134 posted on 08/07/2005 5:12:09 PM PDT by elkfersupper
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 132 | View Replies]

To: elkfersupper
Oh, man...you shoulda been with us!! The Blue Angels started out low because there was a little bit of fog left over Puget Sound. But finally, everything cleared, and they were able to do their high-altitude show. We are lucky here. Most times, the Blue Angels perform over air strips. Here...it's over a huge, beautiful lake!!!

Got home about 2, and now we're waiting for our Alaskan salmon off the grill. The biggest argument is over glaze. I think it's too sweet...I just like salt, pepper and lemon. My brother just does two batches to satisfy everybody.

It's only a little after 5...plenty of Sunday left!!

135 posted on 08/07/2005 5:15:49 PM PDT by paulat
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 128 | View Replies]

To: elkfersupper

Just a thought - people who don't smoke might not want to do their laundry in a smoke filled laundromat; their clean clothes will smell like smoke and so will their own hair and clothes.

I know, I know - freedom to smoke is a big issue with some people. Freedom to breathe and not have asthma attacks is also something to consider.


136 posted on 08/07/2005 5:21:18 PM PDT by little jeremiah (A vitiated state of morals, a corrupted public conscience, are incompatible with freedom. P. Henry)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: paulat
Very cogent and appropriate to the discussion at hand.


137 posted on 08/07/2005 5:27:41 PM PDT by elkfersupper
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 135 | View Replies]

To: little jeremiah
Freedom to breathe and not have asthma attacks is also something to consider.

An asthma attack requires inhalation of something containing a protein.

There are no proteins in tobacco smoke.

138 posted on 08/07/2005 5:29:16 PM PDT by elkfersupper
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 136 | View Replies]

To: elkfersupper
You were talking about stress relievers and someone else was talking about the Blue Angels.

LOL!!! I am experiencing both today!!!

139 posted on 08/07/2005 5:30:32 PM PDT by paulat
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 137 | View Replies]

To: Graybeard58

I think he might be a little bit smarter than you think.


140 posted on 08/07/2005 5:33:10 PM PDT by nygoose
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 3 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-20 ... 101-120121-140141-160 ... 221-224 next last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson