[Speed Gibson,
Wednesday November 2, 2005 at 10:25pm]
Dumbest City in Minnesota
It's a wide field, but at the moment, the award goes to the city of Moorhead, Minnesota. Why? Because they have a smoking ban, recently expanded to cover government-owned outdoor areas.
Why is this dumb? After all, Fargo, just across the border in North Dakota, has a smoking ban, too. There's no "Anoka County" in the area, so it's a level playing field. Granted, it's an falling tide that lowers all boats, but at least the misery is spread equally.
So again, why is this dumb? Because Moorhead should take advantage of Fargo's lapse in judgement and repeal its smoking bans - all of them. If you've driven on both sides of the Red River, you know why. Fargo is bustling and expanding. Moorhead is a ghost town by comparison, and given the significant difference in the state business climate, it's likely to continue its steady decline.
Why is this dumb? After all, Fargo, just across the border in North Dakota, has a smoking ban, too. There's no "Anoka County" in the area, so it's a level playing field. Granted, it's an falling tide that lowers all boats, but at least the misery is spread equally.
So again, why is this dumb? Because Moorhead should take advantage of Fargo's lapse in judgement and repeal its smoking bans - all of them. If you've driven on both sides of the Red River, you know why. Fargo is bustling and expanding. Moorhead is a ghost town by comparison, and given the significant difference in the state business climate, it's likely to continue its steady decline.
I go through F-M region fairly often...looks like cities on both sides of the river are growing fast to me, although the MN side has always been more undeveloped than Fargo.
See you at the Hennepin County meeting to amend the smoking ban.....PS I will also be appearing at the MN Senate &House to defend the facts.