WHERE THERE'S SMOKE ... AT 7TH AND MONTANA!

                             

Ladies and Gentlemen, meet "Smokey the Stinkpot," the latest No-Goodnik to butt-in on the action at 7th and Montana.  This morning, when he thought no one was looking, Smokey peeled the "No Smoking" sticker off his table at Our Favorite Starbucks, took a quick look around to make sure the coast was clear, and lit up a cigarette which he kept hidden behind a copy of Motor Home Magazine.  I watched, dumbfounded, as the smoke billowed in the direction of a pregnant woman at a nearby table.  "I smell smoke," I said loudly, "Is somebody smoking?!?"  He pretended to ignore me until I eventually moved to another table, out of his range.  Moments later, I dialed 310-458-8923 -- the City of Santa Monica's No Smoking Hotline -- to report the incident.  California State Law prohibits smoking within 20-feet of entrances, exits or operable windows of a public building.  I then called the City Attorney's Office -- to urge them to hurry -- and learned that violators of the City's No Smoking Laws pay an initial fine of $250 which generally increases to $1,000 based on court and other administrative costs.  Let's hope this Ash-Hole gets what he deserves ...!