Jump to full article: Des Moines (IA) Register, 2009-04-16
Author: WILLIAM PETROSKI
Intro: An Ottumwa veterans group leader is vowing to defy state officials who plan to yank the liquor license at the city's Veterans of Foreign Wars Post.
Denny Whitson, a Vietnam War veteran, said Wednesday that he regards a statewide smoking ban as unconstitutional. He is urging the 460 members of VFW Post No. 775 to continue smoking and drinking after a liquor license revocation takes effect for repeated violations of the no-smoking law.
"It's entirely up to the membership of the club. But as far as I am concerned, if they revoke our liquor license, the members can come in and bring their own bottle if they want. They can smoke and drink, but we won't have employees," Whitson said. . . .
The issue of allowing smoking in a private club is complicated, Walding said. Private clubs are exempted from the smoking ban only if they have no employees. They must also meet a list of other requirements, such as being operated solely for a fraternal or patriotic purpose.
There are other complicating circumstances at the Ottumwa post.
Jump to full article » |