For an example, of how genuine is the public contempt: In a crowded elevator, in our Court House, last year, before the Municipal election, I teased a fellow lawyer, who started his career many years ago as the Clerk of City Council, whether he didn't want his old job back. He responded with a semi-obscene and certainly vulgar comment about the present City Council and those seeking the office. Everyone on the elevator had a good, heartfelt laugh over the comment. It crossed all barriers of race and class. The one unifying thread in our municipal life, is a common contempt for our City Government.
Now the sad aspect of that is that it becomes self-perpetuating. Quality people do not want to run for City Council, because it is held in contempt. On the other hand, I suspect that if it were put to a vote, to suspend the City Charter and appoint a military governor to rule by martial law, there would be a fairly good chance of passage. This sort of lunacy is really not funny.
William Flax
Get ready for it. Down here in central Ky. since the smoking ban has been in effect it has been a real loser for businesses. The person who spearheaded it made a comment on loss of business that was unbelievable. He said that well some businesses might be down but my Applebee's restaurants have actually increased in their business despite of the ban (paraphrased). Hummm, I know of plenty of people who used to eat there and have decided to take our business elsewhere. I speak with my wallet.