To the editor:

Does a bar owner who has brought his money and talent into a town, building up businesses (and paying hefty taxes, I imagine) not have the right anymore to fight a rule passed by the city that does seem unfair to the nature of a nightclub business? Whether Dennis Steffes spends a lot of money in Lawrence or not is irrelevant. He is simply looking out for the best interests of his businesses, and if he wins his lawsuit, he will surely be “repaying” the city for its legal expenses with purchases from in-town suppliers and taxes that will result from the resumed higher sales volumes at his bars.

Though I am a nonsmoker and enjoy not going home smelling like an ashtray after visiting restaurants and bars in Lawrence, I think it is silly that the businesses that operate solely as nightclubs should have to abide by the no-smoking ordinance. They are places where adults go and, generally, ingest substances which are not the greatest for their bodies. Nightclubs are, by nature, toxic environments. Why single out this one substance, when we should perhaps be more concerned about the hazards of nightclubs outside the realm of their establishments: the drunk drivers?

I hope Mr. Steffes wins his lawsuit. He is an asset to the community of business owners in Lawrence.

Tresa Cope,

Bonner Springs