Read this article very carefully-you'll see that the Gross Man (a former smoker-the worst kind of anti.Nazi) doesn't care about toledo's rat problem as long as he can punish those evil smokers.
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Article published Friday, May 23, 2008
3 smoke-ban complaints snuffed
Inspectors didn't interview bar officials; bad state advice faulted
By JULIE M. McKINNON
BLADE STAFF WRITER
Smoking ban fines of $100 each against three Toledo bars were dismissed yesterday because inspectors did not interview bar officials.
State officials had advised inspector not to do so if they felt confrontations could result.
Under Ohio's ban, nspectors from the Toledo-Lucas County Health Department and elsewhere statewide must either interview establishment officials on-site or call them before issuing a fine.
Fines were dismissed against The Sportsman, 1025 Starr Ave.; Anchor Inn, 4950 Suder Ave., and Debi's Southwyck Lounge, 5345 Heatherdowns Blvd.
Health board member Theodore Rowen, a lawyer, said it was reprehensible that erroneous advice from state health officials prompted the dismissals.
Toledo-Lucas County Health Department inspectors found violations at each bar, which a hearing officer confirmed.
The three establishments probably will have more complaints filed against them that will be investigated, and inspectors in recent months have corrected the issue causing yesterday's dismissals by interviewing all bar officials, said Dr. David Grossman, health commissioner. "They aren't getting away with it," he said.
Ohio Department of Health officials advised local inspectors not to interview bar officials if they feel unsafe, and this is the first time that part of the ban has been questioned, said Kristopher Weiss, a department spokesman.
Enforcement of Ohio's smoking ban, which largely is done by local health departments, began about a year ago.
"There has been a learning curve," Mr. Weiss said. "It's been a learning curve for us. It has been a learning curve for our [local health department] partners."
During yesterday's health board meeting, members upheld a hearing officer's determination to fine four establishments cited for smoking ban violations.
All four can appeal the board's decisions to the Franklin County Common Pleas Court.
Fines of $100 each for second violations were upheld for the American Legion, 204 Illinois Ave., Maumee, and Rumpus Room, 2212 Consaul St. Fines of $500 each for third violations were upheld for Pour House, 4301 Bennett Rd., and Beer Thirty, 1316 Front St.
The board is awaiting a hearing officer's decision on appeals of five more smoking ban citations, and three hearings are set for Thursday. Hearings for seven more appeals have not yet been scheduled.
Also, board members learned the health department is cutting one of two rodent control positions July 1 because of lack of funding. The employee in that job will be transferred to an open spot elsewhere.
Toledo is receiving less federal Community Development Block Grant money, so it cut $53,000 from the health department that was used to help fund the position, Dr. Grossman said.
The health department gets rid of rats and other rodents in public places, such as alleys.
"We're going to do what we can, but it's going to be one person," Dr. Grossman said.
Contact Julie M. McKinnon at:
jmckinnon@theblade.com
or 419-724-6087.
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I used to have compassion, but they legislated it and taxed it out of existence. |
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Darkseid
Smoking Lobby Sponsor
Joined: Jun 13, 2006
Posts: 1413
Location: Peoples Republik of oHEILo
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