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Smoking Now Illegal at Palmer BarsNew law in effect as of first of yearRelated Content
PALMER - With a new year comes new rules, one being that smoking is no longer allowed in Palmer bars. “When everyone went out for the petitions and got those signatures, they could just tell it was going to pass,” said the chairman of Smokefree Palmer, David Cheezem. Palmer is the first town in the Valley to go smoke-free. 452 people voted to pass the ordinance in October. “I can come in here and drink,” said Mary Solstad. “I won’t be bothered by all the smoke.” Solstad and her husband Paul Kriner said the new law is benefiting everyone. “Being an ex-smoker, I think its great because there is nothing worse for ex-smokers than being in a smoking place,” said Kriner. But local bar owners fear it will be bad for business. They said smokers would go to other businesses where they can light up, like the Mug-Shot Saloon in Wasilla. “You get people voting on something that they have no concern about. It's not their business, they have no invested interest,” said Mug-Shot owner Ted Anderson. He said he doesn’t see Palmer residents driving to his bar just to smoke inside. His other bar, Tailgaters, is smoke-free though. “Most of the people, smokers and non-smokers, wanted us to go no-smoking at Tailgaters,” said Anderson. He said he didn't see a difference in his bottom line, butts out or not. |
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Britta said on Wednesday, Jan 23 at 9:24 AM
AA? One beer and you are unable to drive? Spends all their money on alcohol? Sounds to me like you all are just upset that you can no longer smoke inside and are unfairly, immaturely retaliating. And yet according to the news cast, they used the word "progressive" when describing Palmer. Guess they got that one wrong.
111997861Anonymous said on Saturday, Jan 5 at 4:19 PM
Mary sure has a nice sweater. How could she afford it when she obviously spends all her money drinking at the Palmer Bar?
110676885Ted said on Friday, Jan 4 at 11:15 PM
Ted Anderson is spot on. If I don't want to be in bar that allows smoking I would leave, um go to a non smoking one, or better yet drink at home and find a non drinking way to socialize. Anch has the same issue with people voting "yes" on every bond when they are not slowly increasing their property taxes. People on mil housing should not be allowed to raise my property taxes. BS. Our mortgages are sky rocketing the ASSembly could care less too. Mortgage 850ish with taxes and insurance 1600 (I have earthquake ins so a bit higher) So how many min wage workers are enjoying a home of their own? Zip, zero nill. Anyhow, don't vote for what you have no business voting for.
110631421Hey said on Friday, Jan 4 at 8:14 PM
If Mary and Paul are both drinking, who is driving them home? Even one drink impairs.
110625575So said on Friday, Jan 4 at 8:08 PM
What Mary is saying even though she hates smoking that her addiction to alcohol is so great that she endured the smoke hoping one day someone would ban smoking in bars. Mary might need some help with her addiction, KTUU, did you give her the number for AA by chance or was this enough of the story for you. I feel bad for Mary and her addiction, Please help her.
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