Published: December 17, 2007 11:38 am            

LETTERS: Dec. 18, 2007

Reader: Why is Clarksville Council ignoring smoking facts?

Citizens of Clarksville and others who work, shop or dine in Clarksville need to express their outrage at the Town Council’s vote against the smoke-free workplace ordinance that was proposed last week.

Supporters should notify the Council that their summary dismissal of the results of a survey conducted by the respected Research Center at IUPUI, as well as the input from over 150 patrons of Clarksville businesses was a huge miscalculation.

Over one-quarter of workers in Clarksville are not protected from exposure to secondhand smoke on the job. These tend to be people who are working in service and hospitality industries, are making lower wages, and typically are not offered benefits like group health insurance. They are already at risk for poor health outcomes and do not need the added burden of exposure to secondhand smoke. Nor are they readily able to “work someplace else” as some so glibly remark. Why did the Council sacrifice their health at the altar of business owners’ and smokers’ rights?

The IUPUI study also revealed that people who drive the Clarksville economy by recreating in Clarksville overwhelmingly desire smoke-free venues. Why did the Council insult them by discounting their remarks?

In most communities, Councils actually want to hear from their constituents, and allow opportunity for public input at council meetings. Why didn’t that happen in Clarksville?

The report concluded that there is evidence that restaurant business might actually increase if an ordinance was passed in Clarksville. This has been demonstrated repeatedly in communities similar to Clarksville. Why does the Council continue to ignore the data?

Lastly, the same Council that objected loudly to state mandates about storm water quality and recycling resolved to request state intervention regarding smoking control. Why did the Council suddenly shift its position and relinquish its authority over smoking in public places?

The public should demand answers to these questions, and more.

— Andi Hannah RN, Coordinator, Clark County Tobacco Prevention and Cessation Coalition





State’s license plates support religious beliefs

“INDIANAPOLIS — A lawmaker used the name of Jesus Christ in a prayer opening business at the Indiana Senate despite an ongoing court dispute.”

The above is from an AP news article that appeared in The Evening News and The Tribune a few days ago. Does it not seem weird that a country “born and raised” on the foundation of God must be put through this awful condemnation of our religious rights. It is time that the silent majority raised its collective voice to speak up for these rights that are slowly being taken from us.

There is one very evident happening that has taken place in Indiana to show support for our religious belief in God. Thanks to the Indiana legislature, motorists have been given the opportunity to profess their feelings toward God by displaying the “In God We Trust” license plate on their vehicles. As of Dec. 13, 2007, Hoosiers have replaced 1,558,106 of the standard issue with this fabulous plate. This is by choice as the old version is still available. This is even more incredible since this new plate has only been available for one year. Thank you Indiana and keep up the great work.

— David Patterson, New Albany



Local aviation book makes great gift idea

Two local aviation authors have recently written and published a history of aviation which focuses primarily on Clark and Floyd Counties. The authors are Charles W. Arrington of Louisville and Garry J. Nokes of Clarksville and the book is entitled, “Wings over the Falls — A Century of Aviation in Southern Indiana.”

The book is a comprehensive examination of all aspects of aviation history in the immediate two counties. One aspect of the book which is particularly interesting to the citizens of New Albany is the main references to William R. “Piggy” Beeler. His family was prominent in the plumbing business on Market Street in New Albany around the beginning of the 20th century. Beeler learned to fly at the Curtiss Flying School on Long Island, New York, in 1919. In 1924 he was a classmate of Charles Lindbergh at Brooks Field in San Antonio. He and Lindbergh became friends and in 1927 when Lindbergh came to Bowman Field in Louisville with the Spirit of St. Louis on his national tour, he, his pilot, Phil Love, and Beeler hooked up at the Brown Hotel for an afternoon of “pilot talk.” Can one imagine what the talk was about with Lindbergh fresh from his solo flight across the Atlantic Ocean? Beeler was also an avid photographer and there are a lot of his photographs in the book.

The book is full of other such wonderful stories and photographs about William E. “Hap” Happel, who dominated aviation in this region from World War II through the present date, Charles Bush, the operator of Bush Field in Clarksville, Norris “Floppy” Mode, another pilot and aviation photographer, and many others.

The book is a must for any one’s library and would make a wonderful Christmas gift for young and old. The book is available at Schimpff’s Confectionary in downtown Jeffersonville and Destinations Bookseller’s in downtown New Albany.

— Ernest W. “Bill” Smith, New Albany

        

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