Finally, it seemed as if the great debate over Erie County's resolution to ban smoking was dying down. Until late Monday, that is, when a group of tavern owners in the region filed suit to block the ban. Several tavern owners who've called the Erie Times-News in recent weeks to complain that the newspaper is blocking debate over the smoking ban are wrong.

Yes, it's true the newspaper has come out in no uncertain terms on its editorial pages in favor of the ban, but we've run more than 30 letters to the editor from readers who are against the ban. Even more than that number have written in support of the ban. No doubt, the filing of the lawsuit with spike a new round of letters. From the newspaper's standpoint, it's good news. We love letters, esprecially well-reasoned, well-written letters -- no matter what the point of view.

You see, letters to the editor always inspire more letters, which is why hundreds of readers have written to us in recent months. This is one of the things your community newspaper does best -- offer a forum to readers.

The biggest challenge over the rush of letters about the smoking ban was trying to decide when to cut off discussion over the issue, so that readers (and letter writers) could move on to something else. Fortunately, readers made that decision when they started writing about stalled labor negotiations in the Millcreek School District. That issue also inspired dozens of letters. Happily, a contract was reached before the teachers went on strike.

So, what will happen with the smoking ban? I suppose it's anyone's guess, although a lawsuit against the ban in Pittsburgh was dismissed in court. On the Erie Times-News, however, we're dealing with the court of public opinion -- in our letters to the editor section, anyway.

In that vein, just keep those cards and letters coming. There's no better way to keep the conversation going.

-- Kevin Cuneo

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