To the editor:

I would like to take a moment to thank the current Lawrence city commissioners, at least four of them anyway, for the following: With the smoking ban they have created an unfair business advantage for bars and restaurants that have outside seating. They have added more trash to downtown with people standing outside for various activities. They have created a safety hazard in many ways with customers crowding onto the sidewalks because people involved in horse play and traffic don’t mix well. (I understand there have already been injuries, and the larger KU crowds have not even begun yet.)

On behalf of Topeka, Kansas City and other surrounding towns I would like to thank the commissioners for sending business income and taxable revenue. The commissioners have wasted time and resources creating rules that are almost impossible to monitor or enforce. Last, but not least, they have taken away individual rights and property owner rights, as well as made something that is legal an illegal activity.

I hope these four commissioners do not run for office again, but if they do I know several votes that will not be for them. If they stay in office we should expect the following if they are really concerned about our health: a ban on all vehicles, any sort of cleaning agents, etc. Get the picture? Oh, I almost forgot, they should refuse to have the city coffers soiled by any taxes generated from smoking.

LeRoy Young,

Lawrence