Multi tasking

It's a big day!

Election day and high school football night...and Kiwanis Pancake day, too, of course!

Right now, as I sit here with the laptop sitting on the footstool in my living room, the TV is tuned to ABC television, watching the national election results, listening to another radio station broadcasting a football game on one radio, and of course our radio station on another radio broadcasting the Valley Heights game, sending my husband periodic emails on updates of scores, and any results, etc., that I can find, as he sits over at the radio station managing his end of things. Thus how our lives go every now and again when there are a lot of things going on that need to be on the air. Allison is feeling neglected every now and again, of course, but she has found her babydolls and is getting solace and comfort with them right now.

I am SOOOO ready for the presidental elections to be completed and it is kind of interesting watching the results on television. I think we all pretty much know how it is going turn out. It is going to be historic however it does happen to turn out...either the first black man as president or the first woman as vice president. It is a big night.

In talking today, we just wish that whomever gets elected tonight had a magic wand that could fix all of the problems of the US and the world. Unfortunately it's not that easy. Whomever takes over in January will face an uphill, steeply uphill battle, in righting this topsy turvy economy.

On a more local level, statewide, initially the report I heard was that Jim Slattery was leading Pat Roberts; since then it has turned around, and I believe that Pat Roberts has been declared the winner again. I think that was expected again, too, but hopefully he was humbled a bit and remember whom he is working for in the Congress.

On a very local level, we shall find out soon how the school bond issue is going to end up...will the voters' pass it this time around? We'll soon see.

A news story caught my attention on the local evening news this evening out of Topeka. Manhattan city voters will have an issue on the ballot next week, Tuesday, November 4, which will address a smoking ban in certain areas of Manhattan. Called the "Clean Air Ordinance," if passed, Manhattan will join other communities across the country putting a ban on smoking in public areas.

The website, www.cleanairmanhattan.org states the following:

"The CAM Ordinance does NOT regulate smoking at:
Private residences and cars; parks;
golf courses;
parking lots, streets and sidewalks;
K-State grounds and parking lots, including tailgate parties;
private picnics and parties, outdoor public events such as Purple Power Play on Poyntz, Aggieville New Year’s Eve Celebration, Juneteenth, etc."

"Where smoking will be regulated by the ordinance:
Buildings in which the public is invited
Buildings in which employees work
20’ from entrances to above buildings
Seating areas at outdoor events, such as stadiums and bleachers
All hotels and motels
All bars, restaurants, and private clubs, including patios, will be smoke free ensuring a level playing field for over 18 bars that do not have enough space to provide smoking patios"


Okay, now I will admit that I found this data on a website for one side of the issue - primarily because I couldn't locate anyplace on the internet where the ordinance was printed that was "middle of the road." So, we'll go with this, and you can still make your own call on the matter.

The .pdf file on the ordinance can be read here:
http://www.cleanairmanhattan.org/FINAL%20CAM%20ORDINANCE%2006.24.08.pdf
It is about 9 pages.

I don't smoke. I've never smoked. Well, okay, once when I was in high school when I was with other girls who smoked I did try it; and again when I was in my early 20s and at a bar with friends I smoked another cigarette, but that was it. And I didn't really like it. I still don't like it. In fact, I don't like to go to bars anymore very much because of smoking (and I'm getting OLD). When we go to a restaurant, I request nonsmoking. It bothers me when I am near someone and I can smell old stale smoke on their clothes. Ick!

With that said, I personally don't support a public smoking ban. I totally cannot get into telling people what they can and cannot do with a "legal substance." If they want to ban smoking, then make tobacco illegal. Oh, I know, I have read and heard all about second hand smoke; and I agree, it's dangerous. So are a lot of other "second hand" things.

I appreciate when restaurants and bars have separate areas for smoking and nonsmoking. If a restaurant or bar is small and doesn't have room to separate, don't penalize the business. If they want to continue to offer smoking tables, then put a notice on the door that smoking and nonsmoking space is available, and the folks can choose whether they want to enter the establishment....if you don't smoke and don't wish to be around second hand smoke, then don't go into the establishment. To me, it's that simple.

Your thoughts?

August 5 Election Results

Well, it looks like the constituents of USD 364 did not wish for the proposed bond issue to carry through...almost 2:1, not quite.

What would have had to have happened for the bond issue to have passed?

If voting could take place again tomorrow with a new plan in place, what would it look like?

From what I've read and heard, there are definite items which MUST take place (i.e., space constraints at the elementary school, upkeep and maintenance at the football stadium, etc.), so what can the School District do now?

Comments?


~Lesa
Your KNDY Blogger

Election Coverage on KNDY

Join us Tuesday night (August 5, 2008) for primary election coverage beginning in the 8:00 p.m. hour with 20-minute updates on KNDY AM1570 and KNDY FM95.5. You may also go onto our website, http://www.kndyradio.com/, for election coverage.