07/11/2025
I'm not afraid to ask people not to smoke at non-smoking venues. Smoking is banned at Monroe city parks, and while we were attending a concert at St. Mary's Park last night, it was clearly announced from the stage that smoking is prohibited. An older "gentleman" sitting in front of us was smoking, so I politely pointed out to him that there was no smoking allowed, and in fact it was bothering several people seated nearby. He did put out his cigar (yes, CIGAR!), but not before informing me that he was there before I was, and I should go f--- myself. His wife sat silently during all of this. Others seated nearby thanked me for this. Then he sat with the unlit cigar in his mouth for the rest of the concert.