OPPOSE A STATE SMOKING BAN
    Wisconsin is experiencing the worst economic conditions in 70 years and taverns are bearing a large brunt of the crisis. A snapshot of the economy shows that Wisconsin is in a recession, with unemployment numbers growing, sales tax collections declining, and personal income growth stalling.

According to the Department of Revenue, November corporate collections dropped a staggering 130 percent, showing a continued weakness in sales tax collections which has contributed to the $5.4 billion state budget deficit. Personal income growth, which had grown steadily over the last three years, stalled in 2008. The unemployment rate for November was 5.3 percent, up 0.9 percentage points from October. The rate was 1 percentage point up from the rate in November of 2007. In December, Governor Doyle stated, “We have just seen the biggest single-month jump in unemployment since the Depression.”

The recession has hit small businesses especially hard and Tavern League members are asking for some consideration of their livelihoods and their employees’ livelihoods when you are looking at a state-wide smoking ban.

Every politician in the country is scrambling to stimulate the economy and create jobs. President Obama’s stimulus plan would create 4.1 million new jobs nationwide, putting the brakes on the growing number of unemployed. We are in an economic crisis and this is not the time for legislators to enact extreme bills that could potentially put taverns out of business and contribute to escalating unemployment numbers.

Proponents of a statewide smoking ban should recognize this economic crisis and pledge to work with small business owners to craft a proposal that will not further contribute to their economic loss. The thousands of small business owners in the Tavern League of Wisconsin urge you to oppose any effort to include a smoking ban in the state budget and to allow municipalities to ban smoking outdoors.

Proponents of a ban are well intentioned and deserve credit for pushing their agenda so vigorously. However, I would hope even the staunchest advocate can sympathize with the struggling small business owner in these unprecedented economic times. With all the difficult issues facing this state and the country, this is one that can be resolved without jeopardizing more jobs but it may take compromise which the other side has not shown a willingness to do.
– Sally Jo Birtzer, E.C. City/County Tavern League

EAU CLAIRE NEEDS A PUBLIC SQUARE TO STIMULATE ACTIVITY
    There has been discussion in the past weeks (DECI’s Ideas Lounge: Global Ideas for Downtown and Volume One’s article on winter outdoor activities) about downtown and winter activities. Most great cities have a public square.

This is a place where organized and spontaneous downtown activity takes place. This includes the center place for events or the simple pleasures of eating ice cream, all the while people are walking, sitting, shopping, and eating. It is part of the fabric of a city center and is a catalyst for activity. While Phoenix Park provides great activities for our community, a more central downtown public space amenity is needed in Eau Claire.

One option to encourage more activity downtown is to create a public square at the corner of Barstow and Grand, across from the Children’s Museum. Currently, there is a small public parking lot. Instead, trees, benches, public art, and a small water fountain could occupy this area. The wall on the east side could be a mural to commemorate our past or the vision of our future.

How do we get more people downtown in the winter? Construct the square so that during our handful of winter months there is a lighted skating rink with white lights on the trees. Imagine what comes next: a desirable public space right in the heart of downtown and the sounds of fun and laughter filling the streets and then entering stores and restaurants. 

If we want more people to come and stay downtown, this would be a logical investment. Create a public space in the heart of our established shops and restaurants. The question that needs to be asked is how to get more people downtown day-to-day and what to provide so they want to stay longer. Public space for people is needed downtown.
– Eric Anderson, Eau Claire