I don't know who sent the email, or if they are a Grandview resident or not,. All I know is that the person who emailed me sent the complaint from a work email and they work for the federal government.

I've redacted the email address but am posting both the complaint and my response.

Email received:

Subject: Smoking Ordinance
From: .gov
Date: Mon, November 09, 2009 1:01 pm
To: mike@mikefergusononline.com

When is Grandview going to join the 21st century and ban smoking in public
buildings?? I recently tried to visit TJs Diner on Main Street but
couldn't stay more than a few minutes after entering. The cigarette smoke
lingering in the diner was grotesque.

I will limit my future dining experiences to Kansas City and Overland Park.
At least they are concerned about creating an environment everyone can live
with. The smokers get to go outside and everyone else can enjoy their
food.

Hopefully Grandview politicians will address this issue in the very near
future.

I actually welcome complaints and feedback from the public - in the instances where I disagree, I just hope they listen to and consider my views as respectfully as I consider theirs.

Here's my response to the email:

Subject: RE: Smoking Ordinance

From: mike@mikefergusononline.com (Add as Preferred Sender)

Date: Mon, Nov 09, 2009 1:46 pm
To: .gov

Dear Sir of Madam (since you did not identify yourself or where you live, I am not sure how to address this email),

I typically do not respond to anonymous emails but I will make an exception this once.

You'll be happy to know that every single restaurant - and every business, for that matter - in Grandview is free to ban smoking on their own. They do not need City Hall to intervene to make that decision for them.

I do need to correct you on one point: smoking is banned in public buildings in Grandview. Anyone who wishes to smoke at City Hall, fire stations, etc. must do so both outside and away from entrances. Smoking on private property, however, remains permitted at the discretion of those who own and/or manage it.

In fact, had you gone a couple blocks further down Main Street, you could have enjoyed a fine meal at the Hard Bean Cafe, which does not permit smoking. I (being a non-smoker) do not care for the smell of smoke, either, which is why I choose to dine at restaurants that provide smoke-free areas.

I trust the business owners and residents of my community to make that decision for themselves. I was not elected to micromanage their businesses or lives. I believe in both personal and economic freedom, even when others make decisions with which I disagree.

Your decision to eat in other restaurants is proof that the free market works when allowed. Of course, if you truly want to make a point to restaurants in Grandview that allow smoking, you should consider taking your business to those in town that do not.

Since you feel so passionately about this issue, you would be supporting the businesses who provide what you are seeking in a dining experience. The best way to encourage more restaurants to go smoke-free is to reward those that do just that.

Be sure to tell the restaurants in question why you will no longer be patronizing them and let them know the money they could be earning is going across the street to their competition.

The power of the consumer is more direct, efficient and fair than calling in the government to limit the freedom of both business owners (and their private property) and the customers who freely choose to engage in commerce with them. A number of restaurants in Grandview do not allow smoking - consumers have the choice of which environment they prefer when they come here.

Just as I trust you and your ability to make business decisions for yourself, I extend that trust to Grandview's business owners.

Thank you for your anonymous email. I hope you thoughtfully consider this viewpoint which differs from your own. Be sure to remember to try the lunch specials at the (smoke free) Hard Bean Cafe next time you are in town. They are delicious!

Sincerely,