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Text Box: SMOKING ISSUE AMERICAN LEGION POST 66 MEMBERSHIP VOTE MAY 13, 2008 Dear Post 66 Members, I take great issue with the statements made in the letter (not dated) relating to the pro’s and con’s to the issue facing Green Valley American Legion Post 66 on whether we should continue to allow smoking in the Post Lounge. Tow years ago the membership voted to restrict smoking to the lounge only and all members have observed that. Now a small fraction within the post believes that smoking should not be allowed at all. I would like to reminder everyone that, (whether it totally works or not) we spent during the expansion an extra $25,000.00 on the exhaust system to handle the smoke in the lounge. I know the darn thing works kind-of! In addition a few others and I installed the smoke-eater fans, they help a little more. All in all, the Post has tried nearly everything to-date to accommodate non-smokers. Now after reviewing the letter on the issue which no one signed or even dated, all the discontinue and continue smoking issues are for no smoking. Well here’s a few facts in favor of allowing smoking, some of which have come up in the General Membership Meetings. 1. We go to the lounge to socialize with our friends and buddies. People who we have served with and have earned the right. A lot of us paid dearly for the rights some want to take away from us. 2. OUR MEMBERSIP WILL SHRINK IF WE KEEP SMOKING! NOT HARDLY! American Legion Green Valley Post 66 is the only lounge in Green Valley where you can light up a cigarette LEGALLY, and socialize. 3. DECREASE LOUNGE REVENEW, NOT HARDLY! What is and has been substantiated is that our lounge revenues will decrease if we go to a non-smoking policy. If you want proof of that look at the numbers at Post 7 in Tucson, (the oldest existing Post in the state). They have lost membership, revenue, etc. Go in during a weekday or evening, there is no one there, maybe 3-7 members. 4. DECREASE IN AMERICAN LEGION, CONVENTION BUSINESS! That’s guaranteed if we go non smoking. There is no way that a conference, or Promenade of the 40 et * will want to book a session at our post if non- smoking is passed. 5. How many volunteers have you heard say they will quit volunteering if the Post goes non-smoking. I’ve heard from a bunch, from regular breakfast, special dinners, all kinds of special events. Are Non-smokers going to pick up the slack, so will, those who are already volunteering, that’s a few, what about the rest of You? And honestly you can kiss off fundraising events without question… 6 Another Subject, POST CONTRIBUTIONS. We’ve had a few, some maybe Some maybe rescinded in the event we go non-smoking throughout the entire building. All of the living wills and benefit contributions I am aware of were and are while we had smoking. Period. 7 Post Camaraderie is based on members visiting the post, whether it is in the morning, afternoon, or evening. A lost of our members come in at all times of the day to have a few drinks and socialize with the people they know. A good number of these guy smoke, so do some don’t. We all have our own reasons for coming to Post 66. To me it’s like being HOME with friends, I live here. 8. As for cigarettes in my rations. I spent 6 years in and out of Vietnam and I never got any free cigarettes anywhere. I always had to buy my own, when I could. Finally, THE REAL PROJECTIONS, if Post 66 passes the non-smoking motion this is what is expected to happen. Approximately 30 % reduction in Lounge and Hall revenue. 30%-40% reduction in membership over the next 2 years. Without membership, nothing happens. If we loose 18 % we start going under and eventual bankruptcy. You can forget funding our current Veterans Programs like Legion Baseball, Boys State, VA Hospital, etc. Currently this issue is already disrupting the camaraderie enjoyed by our longtime members. Going Non-Smoking will cost us a lot of Money! Don’t be fooled! For the Good of The American Legion, God and Country, Bob Grieson 4/19/08 Bob Grieson Member Post 66 District Vice-Commander Department of Arizona Area A District 2