Standing Up or Slippery Slope?

Would you support a ban on animal fur products?

Last week, California became the first state to ban the sale of animal fur products. The legislation makes it illegal to manufacture, sell or even donate new products made with animal fur. Leather and cowhide are exempt, as are used fur products and taxidermy. Licensed hunters can also still take animal fur.

The new law carries civil penalties for violators.

Animal advocates hailed the new law as a victory against cruelty.

Opponents decry the law as a radical “first step” that could lead to other bans on what Americans choose to wear or eat.

We want to know what you think. Do you support a ban on animal fur products? Or are you against any such ban?

Send your response (50 words maximum) to opinion@texarkanagazette.com by Wednesday, October 23. You can also mail your response to the Texarkana Gazette Friday Poll, at P.O. Box 621, Texarkana, TX 75504 or drop it off at our office, 101 E. Broad St., Texarkana, Ark. Be sure to include your name, address and phone number. We will print as many responses as we can in next Friday’s paper.

Last Week: Food Trucks?

Last week’s question was about a proposed Texarkana, Arkansas, ordinance that would allow properly permitted food trucks to set up in any commercial or industrial district in the city, on private property and with the owner’s permission. Should food trucks be permitted to expand operations into many parts of the city? Or are you against the proposal?

From www.facebook.com/texarkanagazette

■ Yes allow for the free market to open an operate.

■ “Fixed-location restaurants” can get their own food truck, or up their game. nothing wrong with a little healthy competition. You should better yourself and not try to depreciate your competition.

■ Allow. Food trucks are easier for small businesses to operate. I’m all for me.

■ Allow food trucks throughout the city.

■ So … just like they used to have until certain restaurant owners pressured the city to run the crawfish trucks out of town?

■ Put one on every corner.

■ In Austin, several food trucks set up near each other, permanently and offer bathrooms nearby and picnic tables for customers and trash cans available. I would like to see that type of venue here. Many food trucks travel throughout the week, and are at a different location each day. They should operate without restrictions. But for those permanently at one location … they should provide access to a public restroom nearby and a place to sit, and trash cans near the food trucks. But, yes, let’s allow food truck vendors to serve up terrific food without too many rules.

■ Yes, allow them. They are made to be licensed under the most strict guidelines.

■ A very popular restaurant in Austin had a food truck and it really supplemented their business. Eventually people realized what a great venue it was and now the food truck is part of the restaurant. WinWin

■ Allow it! Those “established” restaurants could get a food truck as well

■ Allow food trucks on both sides of the line.

■ Some of them have better food than your chains and appreciate their customers better and are not as rude!

■ I say more food trucks but not just during a “festival” (it seems to be the only time I see them) can you please be available during lunch hour Monday through Friday?

■ All for it! Texarkana needs this growth!

■ YES! More Food trucks

■ We should support small businesses. Allow food trucks.

■ Yes … some cities have a food truck park, complete with benches to eat, etc. It would be great to have this, in addition to having the freedom to set up around the city.

■ Yes! Competition is good

■ Yes! Food options are always good. ■ Food trucks please!

■ Yes, allow … but should have health inspections done by the health department same as restaurants.

■ Why is this even a question? Seriously? Every other place has them and they work. Why is Texarkana always so behind every other places? And then why does everyone want to stop growth? Frustrating.

■ Hopefully you have other industries for workers to transition into since it will cut jobs. They are great for young entrepreneurs and give communities a more personal feel over big chain restaurants

■ Yes, yes, a hundred times yes! ■ All for it! The Arkansas side is open minded to the food truck business and have been doing their homework … you will see something like a food court happen on that side of the line way before the Texas side. I have one and the struggle is real!

■With all the restaurants that spring up overnight in our little slice of heaven, I can’t see there being a difference whether it’s on wheels or a cement foundation. If ever there was a city that could handle having one more eatery open up, it’s this one!

■ As long as the quality is decent, I’m all for it. So far, from the couple of food truck foods I’ve tried, I’ve been massively unimpressed.