LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
The Choice Is Yours
As a citizen and a non-smoker I don't know what scares me more, the fact that people are willing to trample everyone's freedoms or that they will say anything to get their way.
I just have two points to make as to why I can not support a ban:
1.) If cigarettes, cigars etc. are legal, how can you make smoking them illegal? Where is the logic?
2.) You want a smoke-free environment? Educate, don't DICTATE! Educating people on the effects of smoking is a much better choice than beating them over the head with a ban. The "ban" supporters want to dictate behavior. Not really the best idea if this country still holds the Constitution and freedom of choice in as high a regard as we claim to.
I know the health risks. I choose not to smoke. I choose first available seating in restaurants. The fact that I have the freedom to choose is what Americans claim to fight for.
To answer three of the argurments:
1) Our Founding Fathers grew and used tobacco.
2) Restaurant workers concerned about their health: quit and go work for Wal-Mart.
3) Offended by smoke? Go to a smoke-free establishment.
Annette Hook
Lexington, KY
Letters Policy: Ace LOVES to publish our mail (250 words or less please); please include name and daytime phone. No photocopies. No bulk mail. First come, first served. We may edit for space and grammar; we will limit frequency; and, on popular issues, we may print one or two letters to represent a segment of public opinion. Private correspondence should be labeled “NOT FOR PUBLICATION.”
Mail: 486 West Second St , Lexington, Ky 40507
e-mail: editor@aceweekly.com
Rush job
Photographer Cynthia Rush will speak at the Kentucky Women's Writer's Conference Thursday, March 27. As part of her presentation, she will also show photos from her book, After Meals: A Visual Diary of the Moments Before Clean Up. This lecture is open to public, at 7:30pm, in room 230 of the UK Student Center. The first series of After Meals photographs were originally exhibited at Leo Castelli Gallery in New York City with Claus Oldenburg, Jasper Johns, and Andy Warhol.
Lend a Hand
LYPA will host a volunteer fair Thursday, March 27 in the Victorian Square atrium. You can learn more about local non-profits' missions and needs, AND you can enjoy a cash bar from DeSha's, and watch the Cats play on a big screen TV from Barney Miller's while you do good.
Pray on
Thursday, March 27, from 5:30-6:00pm, the Central Kentucky Council for Peace and Justice will hold an Interfaith Prayer Vigil for Peace, in Triangle Park.
Going, going, gone?
Ownership of the water company may soon be a reality, as the Lexington-Fayette Urban County Council voted to approve a resolution that would allow Mayor Teresa Isaac to begin negotiations with the company.
Final approval of a resolution could come as early as Thursday, March 27.
A "good faith" negotiation is a required legal step before the city of Lexington can take the Kentucky-American Water Co. through the legal condemnation process.
A public meeting on the issue will be scheduled sometime between the negotiations, and any condemnation vote.
If condemnation does occur, it is possible that the process might take as long as five to seven years, and cost $1 million to go through the court system.
The council did not have a proposed bargaining price for the company to its resolution. A consultant hired by the city put a valued the company at $157.7 million. The figure does not include approximately $10 million for Jacobson Park and Lakeside Golf Course, properties which the water company owns.
Counsel for the water company dispute the value.
Get a job!
The Downtown Lexington Corporation will host a job fair, which will provide downtown businesses with an opportunity to recruit employees from Central Kentucky to work in Lexington's center city, but also to provide them with an opportunity to learn the advantages of working in Downtown Lexington. The fair will be held Friday, March 28, from 10:30am until 1:30pm in the lower level of the Central Library,140 East Main Street
Walk on
The American Heart Assoc-iation will hold its 7th annual Heart Walk on Saturday, March 29th at 9am in Applebee's Park.
Reforest for the Trees
The 5th annual Reforest the Bluegrass project will take place Saturday, March 29, at Veterans Park, at 650 Southpoint Drive. The ice storm has left many trees uprooted, or with massive damage. Volunteers must be at least 18-years-old, or accompanied by an adult. Trees will be planted 9am to 5pm.
Tree huggin'
Those who aren't able to
give their time planting trees during the Reforest the Bluegrass event, can send contributions to help replace trees lost to the ice storm. All donations will be used to replant city trees. The Lexington Tree Fund
Blue Grass Community Foundation
200 W. Vine St. - Suite 205
Lexington, KY 40507
Info, 859/255.3343.
P.E.A.C.E.
P.E.A.C.E. (People Everywhere Are Created Equal) will be sponsoring an Anti-War Planning meeting, in a Conference Room, at the Downtown Public Library, Lexington, Monday, March 31, at 5:30pm.
5-0 needs backup
The Lexington Police are invit-ing member of the community to help choose the design for their new cruisers.
The cruisers and their new look will hit the streets this spring, and the police department wants the public to help choose which design will adorn the cruisers.
The list has been narrowed to two designs, and two new cruisers sport the choices.
Community members have until Monday, March 31, to vote on the design for the new cruisers.
You can vote in person at the Government Center, 200 East Main Street, or check out the vehicles and vote at the Fayette Mall until March 30.
Looking Ahead...
The Central Kentucky Home & Garden Show will be coming to Heritage Hall and Rupp Arena next week, April 3-6.
The Lexington Legends kick off their 2003 season against the Lakewood Blue Claws, Thursday, April 3, at Applebees Stadium.
The city is currently con-sidering three versions of a proposed smoking ban. The first proposal would outlaw smoking in all public places. The second would outlaw smoking in restaurants and bars, and the third version would apply to restaurants and bars, while making exceptions for ventilated smoking rooms in said businesses. The Council's Services Committee is expected to address the issue again April 14th.
To submit an advocacy/activism activity or event for Quickies, email rkirkland@aceweekly.com, or editor@aceweekly.com.