Strippers to protest at State House (Smoking Ban in NJ)

The Trentonian ^ | January 9, 2006 | PAUL MICKLE

[elkfersupper]

More than 100 strippers are expected to descend on the New Jersey State House Thursday to agitate and undulate for the instant repeal of the ban on smoking in bars that’s on track to become law by this evening.

Organized by two radio rabble-rousers and the owner of the Illusions go-go bar in Florence, the entertainers are aiming their protest at the incoming class of state lawmakers, not the legislators poised to pass the extended smoking ban today.

Advertisement

Acting Gov. Richard Codey last week said he’ll sign the new law right away, saving Gov.-Elect Jon Corzine a political headache and meaning Thursday’s protest of dancers and barmaids will occur after the law is already on the books.

But Craig Carton and Ray Rossi, the radio hosts cued by a report in The Trentonian on the concerns of dancers at Illusions, think they can convince the new legislature to quickly repeal of the new ban.

The idea, said Carton, is "let them see as soon as it becomes law just how offensive it is to everyone in New Jersey.’’ He said the protest "is about small business rights being taken away’’ and cried hypocrisy like those quoted in The Trentonian article.

Growing and smoking tobacco is legal, Carton noted, "and bar owners know their clientele enjoys smoking. But now they’re not going to be able to let people do something that’s legal in their business.’’

Illusions proprietor Eleanore Travia, whose testimony before as Assembly public health committee last week got polite nods from the lawmakers, has been arguing that the new ban incorporates a double standard into state law.

It applies to all restaurants, bars and entertainment forums, except those in the casinos of Atlantic City.

"This is ridiculous! For you to enjoy a cocktail and a cigarette together in a public place, you’ll have to go to Atlantic City and put a quarter in a slot machine,’’ Travia complained.

She said the casinos "paid big money to be eliminated from that bill. They paid off, to get casinos off of that bill."

Travia and her dancers told The Trentonian their entertainment business should have the same rights as the casinos.

After their story came out in The Trentonian, the afternoon drive-time commentators of radio station 101.5 brought the fray to the Jersey airwaves.

By Friday, with help from Travia, as many as 400 strippers and dancers had called the station to express interest in the march on Trenton, Carton said.

One of the first members of the legislature the dancers will get a chance to convince to repeal will be Assemblywoman Loretta Weinberg, a sponsor of the extended smoking ban. Carton said she promised to face the protesters from the State House steps.

[Ditter]

Hotels know that once a room is a smoking room that non smokers won't stay in it anymore. I have seen people turn down the last room in a hotel because of the smell. On a cold snowy night in northern Michigan I was the 5th person in line to give thumbs down to a stinky smoking room.

[SheLion]

Hotels know that once a room is a smoking room that non smokers won't stay in it anymore. I have seen people turn down the last room in a hotel because of the smell. On a cold snowy night in northern Michigan I was the 5th person in line to give thumbs down to a stinky smoking room.

Cry me a river.

Hotels know that once a room is a smoking room that non smokers won't stay in it anymore. I have seen people turn down the last room in a hotel because of the smell. On a cold snowy night in northern Michigan I was the 5th person in line to give thumbs down to a stinky smoking room.

Cry me a river.

[Ditter]

Why do you always have to be so nasty?

[Ditter]

If 20 to 25% of the population smokes why should a hotel allow smoking in more rooms than that? Isn't that enough?

[SheLion]

If 20 to 25% of the population smokes why should a hotel allow smoking in more rooms than that? Isn't that enough?

I'm all for it.  Smoking and non-smoking rooms is the way to go.  This way, everyone is accommodated.

[SheLion]

Why do you always have to be so nasty?

Because of your nasty attitude towards smokers.  And why do you single ME out? Plenty of others in FR that smoke yet you zero in on me.

I am quite aware of how you feel about smokers so you don't have to keep rubbing my nose in it.  You can't say anything new to us that we haven't read from you before.

[Ditter]

I am not nasty to you. I do poke a little fun at misconceptions when I read them here, sometimes they are yours, sometimes they are others. If I appear redundant it is because I see the same misconceptions stated as fact over and over again.

[SheLion]

I am not nasty to you. I do poke a little fun at misconceptions when I read them here, sometimes they are yours, sometimes they are others. If I appear redundant it is because I see the same misconceptions stated as fact over and over again.

Surely you don't believe that the ones fighting the war on smokers are just pulling this stuff out of thin air, right?

I always have links to back up what I state when it comes to information.  If you choose to believe the anti's or you choose to believe what we put forth, that is up to you.

But I know in my heart that I am backed by reliable links and reliable researchers.  If you are just going on the fact that you think smokers stink, that doesn't account for nothing.  Several in FR feel the way you do.  But not all.

[Ditter]

I am going by what I know as fact in my life, you are going by what pro smoking groups tell you is fact. I have no connection to anti smoking groups, I don't read their stuff. So what I say is anecdote and what you have read is the gospel. When I point that out to you (in a joking manner sometimes) you think I am attacking you. I am glad I don't feel so threatened that I miss read what is said to me.