“I thought it was against the law to throw your grass clippings in the streets. Take a trip down 16th Street by the fairgrounds and the sidewalks are covered in grass and it is four or five feet into the street. It really looks bad,” insisted one caller in the most recent edition of the Sedline.

“I thought it was against the law to throw your grass clippings in the streets. Take a trip down 16th Street by the fairgrounds and the sidewalks are covered in grass and it is four or five feet into the street. It really looks bad. “

You’d swear by this week’s edition of the Sedline that the potential public smoking ban is the most important topic of contention in the collected history of the Queen City of the Prairies. In the history books they will talk about the great cigarette war — the first shots could be fired right here in our backyard.

I, like everyone else, love to read Sedline (knowing comments are not signed), where the writers have come up with the idea that I will support smoking in certain public places. Yes, I do support leaving the private clubs and the bars that do 70 percent of their gross sales with liquor by the drink sales. Restrictions, with teeth (if I have my way), will be in place to monitor the bars. All others, including bingo at the VFW and Moose Lodge will come under the smoking ordinance. Yes, I would like to see the final draft placed on the ballot for a public vote at the next general election. I don’t think I have enough support with the council to get this done. Ever felt like the new kid on the block? That’d be me.

“Mr. Strauss had a well written letter in Tuesday’s paper. Putting aside whether second-hand smoke kills or not there is also the issue with his smoke causing sinus or breathing problems when you have someone infringing on your airspace and you cant leave for whatever reason. I used to smoke but was very conscious of others around me who chose not to want to enjoy my bad habit also. He speaks of government involvement and we do have lots of that. I say put this to a vote and let the people speak as they have in so many other towns.”

It’s been a good week for the city of Sedalia.

• The people of Sedalia and the people of Ward 4 will be tired of their new council member before his term is up.

What’s going on with (Missouri House Speaker) Tim Jones and (state Rep.) Denny Hoskins? Why do we bother electing people if their bosses and the money people will just remove them if they don’t vote the way they are told? Shame on you.

After reading several letters to the editor as well as recent Sedline comments, I was inclined to scour the Bill of Rights to make myself more familiar with the right to smoke in public.

“The editorial in this morning’s paper (April 13-14, “Play outrage missses CASA’s vital mission”) about “The Vagina Monologues” was excellent. Whether we like it or not, we have to admit the sexual abuse of women and children is real and we have to address it. The word ‘vagina’ is upsetting to us but it does get our attention and I think that was its intention.”

“In regard to the group of individuals who have started calling themselves Sedalia Concerned Citizens, I feel truly that the citizens of this fine city should get together and buy these individuals a nice Amtrak train ticket and send them out of town on a rail. We do not need this type of a hate group to get started in Sedalia to turn people’s minds ... to their way of thinking.”

“Hey, pizza delivery places, how come you all charge $2 for a delivery fee and the drivers only get $1? What is the other dollar for? ... And please tip your delivery drivers.”

Most people are aware of the three syllable version of the word, “assume.” It is the version that I like to keep in the forefront of my mind to avoid making the mistake that we all make from time to time — and that is to prematurely sum up a situation based solely on the knowledge that we currently have.

“I just wanted to urge everyone to go to the polls and vote ‘yes’ on the bond issue for the repairs on the Sedalia Public Library.”

“I just read the article in today’s paper about the council approving the budget for the city ... one of the things I don’t read about in there is any kind of funding for tourism. ... I think it is an important part and the city should be funding tourism also.”

It might not feel or look like it outside but spring has begun and that means it’s time for some good old spring cleaning. There are a few theories as to why it became the season most closely associated with cleaning but no matter the reason the concept has survived into modern society and in a few days short of a month some select Sedalians will be able to celebrate it in a whole new way.

“This chick does not like your country lineup. I’m not a country fan. My friends and I are taking all of the money we saved for this year to spend at the fair and we’re going to Kansas City and spend it there. Sorry, Sedalia, hope your country chicks have deep pockets,” said one caller in the most recent edition of the Sedline.

“It’s too bad everyone can’t shut up when someone is singing karaoke, or can’t clap after someone sings. Everyone has an attitude problem in the bars, or thinks you have to sing like Elvis, or they are just intoxicated and rude. The bars are becoming no fun anymore.”

“If you are an elderly person and you muster up some energy and exert yourself, the next day you aren’t worth two hoots.”

“Whoever replaces State Fair Community College President Marsha Drennon will have big heels to fill. Dr. Drennon has served her position well. Good luck to her in her retirement.”

“I picked up my granddaughter Feb. 14, Valentine’s Day, from school and I was really kind of sad for the children who didn’t get these gigantic balloons that were delivered to them by their parents. I think that should be kept private. ... I feel for the children who didn’t get anything like that.”

“Hat’s off to Mayor Elaine Horn’s column in Sunday’s paper and all those who volunteer. Instead of being so critical of how our city operates step up and volunteer: You, too, can make a difference,” insisted one caller in the most recent edition of the Sedline.

“Smithton school board members, please listen to the district patrons when you cast your vote Wednesday night.”

“As my children grew up, they attended Sedalia schools and graduated from Smith-Cotton High School, all five of them. One of my greatest pleasures was saving the clippings of their achievements, especially the honor rolls from the Sedalia Democrat. I am denied that pleasure with my grandchildren as Sedalia schools are ignored while surrounding schools honor rolls are printed. I have asked several people but never received an answer as to why Sedalia schools are ignored. Can you give me an answer?”

I was doing my regular sweep of the Internet, looking for topics for my online column, and when it came time to search Google it suggested a strange string of words in the “related searches” section for “Sedalia:” “sedalia homeopathic medicine”