Although I agree that the Valley needs growth and that a Casino would not only provide jobs with the contruction and day-to-day operation of the Casino, but everything in the Valley would benefit. Local hotels, restaurants, attractions and retailers would ALL benefit by increased traffic. Unfortunately, there are way too many people in this Valley who oppose gambling. Opposition to gambling is hard to comprehend as gambling is already legal in the Valley: aka Ohio Lottery, including Keno in every food & liquor establishment, and nightly Bingo.The same people who petition against gambling are the same ones who hold a Mega Millions ticket in their back pocket while complaining about job loss.
With this, no builder or entrepreneur will ever consider investing in the Youngstown-Warren area. It's sad that many people in our Valley are the root of the stagnant economy and prevent any growth from happening. The days of booming steel mills, Delphi and Lordstown are gone and we MUST find a way to increase local revenue. Manufacturing industries supporting our area are gone and we must all sadly come to realize that they are not coming back anytime soon. Driving tourism is a perfect way to increase revenue and jobs. The Chevy Centre and other venues are great, but they are not enough to support the Valley. We need to move past the good ole days and find a future.
Cambridge, Thanks for clearing things up and also explaining your bacground on this issue. Quitting smoking or any addiction is one of the hardest things to do, if not the hardest. Everyone quits for different reasons and uses different tools, whether they be psycholgical tools or nicotine aids.
I sincerely hope that those that are opposed to smoking really take a stand on the right things. The wrong thing (in my opinion) is to tax smokers to death and prevent them from acquiring jobs and providing no help to them quitting. The right thing to do would be to spend the tax dollars from smokers on programs to help them quit. Smokers know that cigarettes are a waste of money, that they are frowned upon and that they are harming their health. With that, you would think quitting would be a snap, but obviously it's easier said than done. I've known so many people hate being a smoker, but cannot quit. The emphasis on these laws needs to be on health and helping one quit this awfully addictive habit. Instead of discriminating and taxing smokers to death, it's time to recognize smoking as the addiciton that it is. Peace to you as well.
Cambridge, I do not agree with calling names because someone disagrees with me. For you to make a mockery of those suffering from lung cancer is dispicable. I will not change my mind on that. Although, I sincerely apologize if I offended you. I also appreciate your last post that was more of a conversational debate, instead of just making fun and using sarcasm. I want to be clear that I do respect non-smokers. At the same time, I also respect the smokers out there, and the business owners. I think it should be a choice for a business owner to run a smoking establishment or a non-smoking establishment. In that case, smokers and non-smokers have a choice on where they feel comfortable patronizing.
The other large problem I have is the hypocricy in this law. On one side, it is enforced by speaking of 'health', while at the same time, there are no real programs out there to help smokers, such as Insurance companies do not have to cover the patch or gum. If smoking is harmful (and I agree it is), then it should be treated like every other addiction and require health care companies to fully cover smoking cessation aids. In addition, the state makes nearly a billion dollars a year, JUST on cigarette taxes. If Ohio lawmakers and those supporting the ban of cigarette use will use the 'health' platform to encourage banning smoking everywhere, then why still allow cigarettes as a legal purchase? If it was really truly a health issue, cigarette sales would be banned. Now that would be a step to prove this is about health, and not just a money maker.
cambridge you are a disgusting human being. You continue to mock people with illnesses and those addicted to nicotine. God help your soul. I am sure you lead a perect life and exercise daily, eat only healthy foods and are a model person. Would you be making fun of a heart attack victim if they led a life full of fatty foods and no exercise? Would you be mocking a woman dying of breast cancer because she didn't do a monthly breast check? You are truly disgusting and are the model of what is wrong with our society. A bunch of bigots that feel as if their way is the only way and conveniently forget their faults as they cast stones at everyone around them. My guess is that you have a miserable life and the only thing making you feel better is to make fun of others. Good luck with that.
These people are absolutely ridiculous! Afraid of "severe allergy attacks and vicious animals attacking kids" by having an animal shelter and vet office on the street? What is wrong with people?!?!?!? Can anything ever be done for good without a group of protesters fighting it and making up absurd scenarios? GROW UP and SHAME ON YOU! Stories like this make me sad that we live in the kind of country that will never move forward as the select few that oppose everything possible ewill forever keep life stagnant. I hope the planners move forward with full speed as you will have more supporters than protesters. Ignore these fools and do what is right by the animals and provide a new shelter in the community.
FormerRes - You speak of intelligence, which, by your post, shows your lack of. The health care costs as an argument is so funny. What about all those with heart ailments due to a life filled with deep-fried foods and lack of exercise? Heart disease is a top killer, so let's ban overwight people from working and force them to buy gym memberships! Let's also ban all peope who speed as they put their life at risk of getting into an accident and causing my health care to go up! Heck, while we're at it, let's just drop health care altogether! Those who do not like smoking, and their kids, have the right to leave the room if someone is smoking. When will the constitution be enforced and not manipulated to satisfy the hypocrites of the world? As I said on the last article the Vindy wrote on this issue, this law is hypocritical as cigarettes are a legal substance. If you & your friends hate smokers so much, write your congressman and demand the sale of cigarettes to be banned. This IS the 21st century, right? That way, you won't be annoyed anymore by the 'coughing & wheezing' as you stated. You and your kids can go out and find another cash cow to bring in $955 million a year that will be lost from the cigarette taxes.
Smart landlords factor in all costs associated with their units and charge a 'rent' which is determined by the landlord/property owner, not the renter.
Revenue from registration fees goes towards the DMV funding and equipment and also towards road repairs (www.oplates.com). If you don't drive, then you won't use the roads repaired by registration fees.
Yes, some people drink alcohol, some drink soda, some eat at retaurants and buy groceries - there are taxes on practically everything you do. But we are all equal on our choices there. If you choose to pay tax to a restaurant or I choose to buy my food at a grocery store, we both ay taxes to eat. Another difference is with alcohol, and any other drug BUT nicotine, the government recognizes the addiction that can result from these drugs and offers aid to those addicted to alcohol. Insurance companies are required to offer rehabilitative services for alcohol & drug dependency. Again, no help for addicted smokers.
It's really a shame that you enjoy taking advantage of addicts, and are actually gloating about it.
I understand how a ballot works. Why can't any of those that are antismoking and pro-smoking ban answer any of my questions with a real answer? Is it that you see the hypocracy in this discriminatory law? If you are for a ban to eliminate the use of cigarettes in public due to 'health' reasoning, then why aren't you just as passionate about the sale of cigarettes? Ban the sale of cigarettes and find another cash cow to fund a Billion dollars a year to Ohio. Smokers are discriminated against, yet those who discriminate have no problem at all spending the smokers' money.
"It would be foolish to outlaw cigarettes when people won't even bat an eye at paying the tax on them" ts1227 - you proved my point - this ban is hypocritical. Punish the smokers by increasing taxes on cigarettes, but claim 'health' as to why you can't use them in public. This ban has ZERO to do with health, if so, cigarettes would be banned. Since it is solely about money, Ohio gaining nearly a BILLION per year on Cigarette Sales Tax isn't enough so now they want to waste our cops' time by stomping on cigarette butts and writing fines. You want the money from the smokers but don't want them to use the product in public. I say ban cigarettes and find another way to gain State Funding. It should not go both ways, discriminating smokers and profitting from them.
ts1227, I was referring to total taxes. You are right on the fed tax going up to $1.01 per pack. Here are the totals, $1.25 in taxes per Pack for State, + $1.01 for Fed + various county rates (approx $.40) = $2.66 per pack or more:
Ohio Dept of Taxation: The current rate, $1.25 per pack, was set by the Ohio General Assembly effective July 1, 2005. In Fiscal Year 2007, total receipts from the sale of stamps were over $955.2 million, an amount that does not include other tobacco products. This amount was credited to the state General Revenue Fund.
Can you imagine if the State did not have the nearly ONE BILLION dollars in State Cigarette Tax Money? What merits are there on this ban that you are referring to? Does this help people quit smoking? If you agree with the smoking ban, then I suggest you write your congressman and other state officials and ask to ban the sale of cigarettes. In that case, this law would make sense. I wonder though, how bad the state would be without the smokers paying $955 million per year to Ohio Taxes?
Posted on March 29 at 10:25 a.m.
Although I agree that the Valley needs growth and that a Casino would not only provide jobs with the contruction and day-to-day operation of the Casino, but everything in the Valley would benefit. Local hotels, restaurants, attractions and retailers would ALL benefit by increased traffic. Unfortunately, there are way too many people in this Valley who oppose gambling. Opposition to gambling is hard to comprehend as gambling is already legal in the Valley: aka Ohio Lottery, including Keno in every food & liquor establishment, and nightly Bingo.The same people who petition against gambling are the same ones who hold a Mega Millions ticket in their back pocket while complaining about job loss.
With this, no builder or entrepreneur will ever consider investing in the Youngstown-Warren area. It's sad that many people in our Valley are the root of the stagnant economy and prevent any growth from happening. The days of booming steel mills, Delphi and Lordstown are gone and we MUST find a way to increase local revenue. Manufacturing industries supporting our area are gone and we must all sadly come to realize that they are not coming back anytime soon. Driving tourism is a perfect way to increase revenue and jobs. The Chevy Centre and other venues are great, but they are not enough to support the Valley. We need to move past the good ole days and find a future.
Posted on March 20 at 11:46 a.m.
Cambridge,
Thanks for clearing things up and also explaining your bacground on this issue. Quitting smoking or any addiction is one of the hardest things to do, if not the hardest. Everyone quits for different reasons and uses different tools, whether they be psycholgical tools or nicotine aids.
I sincerely hope that those that are opposed to smoking really take a stand on the right things. The wrong thing (in my opinion) is to tax smokers to death and prevent them from acquiring jobs and providing no help to them quitting. The right thing to do would be to spend the tax dollars from smokers on programs to help them quit. Smokers know that cigarettes are a waste of money, that they are frowned upon and that they are harming their health. With that, you would think quitting would be a snap, but obviously it's easier said than done. I've known so many people hate being a smoker, but cannot quit. The emphasis on these laws needs to be on health and helping one quit this awfully addictive habit. Instead of discriminating and taxing smokers to death, it's time to recognize smoking as the addiciton that it is.
Peace to you as well.
Posted on March 19 at 9:01 a.m.
Cambridge, I do not agree with calling names because someone disagrees with me. For you to make a mockery of those suffering from lung cancer is dispicable. I will not change my mind on that. Although, I sincerely apologize if I offended you. I also appreciate your last post that was more of a conversational debate, instead of just making fun and using sarcasm.
I want to be clear that I do respect non-smokers. At the same time, I also respect the smokers out there, and the business owners. I think it should be a choice for a business owner to run a smoking establishment or a non-smoking establishment. In that case, smokers and non-smokers have a choice on where they feel comfortable patronizing.
The other large problem I have is the hypocricy in this law. On one side, it is enforced by speaking of 'health', while at the same time, there are no real programs out there to help smokers, such as Insurance companies do not have to cover the patch or gum. If smoking is harmful (and I agree it is), then it should be treated like every other addiction and require health care companies to fully cover smoking cessation aids. In addition, the state makes nearly a billion dollars a year, JUST on cigarette taxes. If Ohio lawmakers and those supporting the ban of cigarette use will use the 'health' platform to encourage banning smoking everywhere, then why still allow cigarettes as a legal purchase? If it was really truly a health issue, cigarette sales would be banned. Now that would be a step to prove this is about health, and not just a money maker.
Posted on March 18 at 8:45 a.m.
cambridge you are a disgusting human being. You continue to mock people with illnesses and those addicted to nicotine. God help your soul. I am sure you lead a perect life and exercise daily, eat only healthy foods and are a model person. Would you be making fun of a heart attack victim if they led a life full of fatty foods and no exercise? Would you be mocking a woman dying of breast cancer because she didn't do a monthly breast check? You are truly disgusting and are the model of what is wrong with our society. A bunch of bigots that feel as if their way is the only way and conveniently forget their faults as they cast stones at everyone around them. My guess is that you have a miserable life and the only thing making you feel better is to make fun of others. Good luck with that.
Posted on March 15 at 8:10 a.m.
These people are absolutely ridiculous! Afraid of "severe allergy attacks and vicious animals attacking kids" by having an animal shelter and vet office on the street? What is wrong with people?!?!?!? Can anything ever be done for good without a group of protesters fighting it and making up absurd scenarios? GROW UP and SHAME ON YOU! Stories like this make me sad that we live in the kind of country that will never move forward as the select few that oppose everything possible ewill forever keep life stagnant. I hope the planners move forward with full speed as you will have more supporters than protesters. Ignore these fools and do what is right by the animals and provide a new shelter in the community.
Posted on March 11 at 7:58 a.m.
FormerRes - You speak of intelligence, which, by your post, shows your lack of. The health care costs as an argument is so funny. What about all those with heart ailments due to a life filled with deep-fried foods and lack of exercise? Heart disease is a top killer, so let's ban overwight people from working and force them to buy gym memberships! Let's also ban all peope who speed as they put their life at risk of getting into an accident and causing my health care to go up! Heck, while we're at it, let's just drop health care altogether!
Those who do not like smoking, and their kids, have the right to leave the room if someone is smoking. When will the constitution be enforced and not manipulated to satisfy the hypocrites of the world?
As I said on the last article the Vindy wrote on this issue, this law is hypocritical as cigarettes are a legal substance. If you & your friends hate smokers so much, write your congressman and demand the sale of cigarettes to be banned. This IS the 21st century, right? That way, you won't be annoyed anymore by the 'coughing & wheezing' as you stated. You and your kids can go out and find another cash cow to bring in $955 million a year that will be lost from the cigarette taxes.
Posted on March 9 at 8:40 p.m.
Smart landlords factor in all costs associated with their units and charge a 'rent' which is determined by the landlord/property owner, not the renter.
Revenue from registration fees goes towards the DMV funding and equipment and also towards road repairs (www.oplates.com). If you don't drive, then you won't use the roads repaired by registration fees.
Yes, some people drink alcohol, some drink soda, some eat at retaurants and buy groceries - there are taxes on practically everything you do. But we are all equal on our choices there. If you choose to pay tax to a restaurant or I choose to buy my food at a grocery store, we both ay taxes to eat.
Another difference is with alcohol, and any other drug BUT nicotine, the government recognizes the addiction that can result from these drugs and offers aid to those addicted to alcohol. Insurance companies are required to offer rehabilitative services for alcohol & drug dependency. Again, no help for addicted smokers.
It's really a shame that you enjoy taking advantage of addicts, and are actually gloating about it.
Posted on March 9 at 5:16 p.m.
I understand how a ballot works. Why can't any of those that are antismoking and pro-smoking ban answer any of my questions with a real answer? Is it that you see the hypocracy in this discriminatory law? If you are for a ban to eliminate the use of cigarettes in public due to 'health' reasoning, then why aren't you just as passionate about the sale of cigarettes? Ban the sale of cigarettes and find another cash cow to fund a Billion dollars a year to Ohio. Smokers are discriminated against, yet those who discriminate have no problem at all spending the smokers' money.
Posted on March 9 at 12:45 p.m.
"It would be foolish to outlaw cigarettes when people won't even bat an eye at paying the tax on them"
ts1227 - you proved my point - this ban is hypocritical. Punish the smokers by increasing taxes on cigarettes, but claim 'health' as to why you can't use them in public. This ban has ZERO to do with health, if so, cigarettes would be banned. Since it is solely about money, Ohio gaining nearly a BILLION per year on Cigarette Sales Tax isn't enough so now they want to waste our cops' time by stomping on cigarette butts and writing fines.
You want the money from the smokers but don't want them to use the product in public. I say ban cigarettes and find another way to gain State Funding. It should not go both ways, discriminating smokers and profitting from them.
Posted on March 9 at 7:27 a.m.
ts1227, I was referring to total taxes. You are right on the fed tax going up to $1.01 per pack. Here are the totals, $1.25 in taxes per Pack for State, + $1.01 for Fed + various county rates (approx $.40) = $2.66 per pack or more:
Ohio Dept of Taxation: The current rate, $1.25 per pack, was set by
the Ohio General Assembly effective July 1, 2005.
In Fiscal Year 2007, total receipts from the sale of stamps were over $955.2 million, an amount that does not include other tobacco products. This amount was credited to the state General Revenue Fund.
Can you imagine if the State did not have the nearly ONE BILLION dollars in State Cigarette Tax Money? What merits are there on this ban that you are referring to? Does this help people quit smoking? If you agree with the smoking ban, then I suggest you write your congressman and other state officials and ask to ban the sale of cigarettes. In that case, this law would make sense. I wonder though, how bad the state would be without the smokers paying $955 million per year to Ohio Taxes?