by Bill Rogers
Smoking ban violations continue in Middletown since the ban went into effect April 2007. But now punishments will be dolled out. The smoking ban has in part been responsible for failure of several restaurants in Middletown including Shiavones, Capozies and the Liberty Restaurant.
The official punishment for violating the ban is stated as a warning for the first and second offenses, a $500 fine for a third offense, a $1000 fine for a fourth offense, and a $2500 fine for the fifth offense or more.
Of the 30 businesses in the state that have had their violations escalated to the fine level, two of them have been in Middletown. The Fraternal Order of Eagles and the Lakeside Inn have each been sent a citation that included a $100 fine.
The state is taking the ban seriously, and continues to investigate reports of violations.
additional source: Ed Richter, Middletown Journal