"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."
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.
Ping!
"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."
Couldn't have said it better myself.
DUH.................they should have thought of this and spoke to legislators before this assinine law was passed.........
"....an economic development group purchased his laundry machines, mostly to keep the 100 or so visiting custom wheat harvesters in town."
North Dakota sounds like a strange place.
In an e-mail to Governor Hoeven (R), I stated that maybe they should just ban tobacco outright so the State's coffers could go through cold turkey with the rest of us.
Once again, the wolves have decided what is for lunch.
Bad Boys, Bad Boys what you gonna do when they come for you...
That's because they know you don't care what they think.
Is this what we won the Cold War for?!
The laundromat owner said the business barely paid its own bills anyway, but if he can't be there all day like he usually is to keep an eye on the water pipes and fuse box, he won't be there at all.
Mosbrucker tried to persuade him to open it a couple hours a week for the custom cutters, at least, but Laches said they should blame the inconvenience on state leaders, not him.
Laches regularly entertained a group of Mott fellas, who convened for coffee, cards and a smoke or two in the morning.
Now, that's history, too, although Laches does point out that he can smoke in his building if he wants to, now that it's closed.
"I'm not a rich person and in six to eight months, I'll be destitute," he said.
snip
Laches said it wouldn't have mattered to him if the local police never showed up to write him a ticket.
The law's the law, he said.
After 17 years, "The state has taken my business away," he said.
snip
Laches said for $10,000, he'd sell the building, lock, stock and wash barrel. He'd sell the wash and drying machines for $2,000.
Almost embarrassing? If it isn't completely embarrassing then why not make it a career? Join the Federal Agency to Restrict Tobacco and get yourself some Federal benefits as well as a spiffy jacket with the agency acronym emblazoned in big yellow letters on the back.
> Laches said his business was never a moneymaker
> in the 17 years he owned it.
Evidently never figured out that people take their clothes
there to be cleaned, and not to be infused with the smell
of burned tobacco. Only the customers who smoke might
fail to notice the problem.
None of which is to be construed as an endorsement of
the dim-witted nanny-statism afoot here.
As opposed to the Houston TX police who won't enforce the laws against illegal immigrants.
You have already moved to Galt's Gulch. I think you'll find your efforts are far more appreciated there.
Remember this next time the local cops moan about how undermanned they are. If they have so little to do that they're out rounding up ashtrays in bingo parlors, crime rates are not a problem and the police do not have a manning problem.
If you own a combination laundromat and TV repair shop...you might be a redneck.