Tempers flared and swords crossed in a contentious debate Wednesday morning. An argument preceded a news conference on a smoking ban.
Citizens for a Smoke-Free Omaha is behind a petition drive to place the issue on the November election ballot.
The owner of Big John’s Billiards confronted petition organizers angry that a similar smoking ban passed by Lincoln voters forced his capital city location to close.
The exchange was mainly between Will Prout of Big John’s and petition organizer Mike Salkin
“Why close down my business?” Prout asked.
Salkin told him, “You’re closing it down because you’re ignoring an economic reality.”
“I’m closing it down because I didn’t get $84,000 out of my business last year,” Prout told him. “That’s a good reason to close it down.”
“Maybe you need to rethink your business strategy,” Salkin said.
Prout shot back, “How much are you putting in for employment? How much are you putting in for taxes? Who the hell are you, huh?”
The group needs more than 9,000 signatures to land on the ballot.
The goal is an across-the-board smoking ban in Omaha businesses. The only business sunsets in the proposal ordinance would be stand-alone bars without kitchens that will have two years to come up with a different smoke-free business model or close.
