Comments for BisManCafe.com

Comment on What Ever Happened To King’s Food Host? by jc

jc — Tue, 15 May 2012 05:24:43 +0000

Good riddance, Kings!

Their Omaha management (circa 1967) was vicious and vindictive. Although they tried to to cater to a college crowd, they did not.

They once had one of our party arrested for breaking a towel machine in the men’s restroom. When I protested his public arrest in front of patrons, I was arrested for interfering.

Because they forced their employees to lie in court, I was convicted of a misdemeanor. And over 40 years later, I will never forgive that company and their mendacious stooges.

Comment on United Airlines Dropping Direct Chicago Flights by Maggie

Maggie — Mon, 07 May 2012 15:08:22 +0000

I am so sad that they are discontinuing this flight. I live in Chicago and my parents live in Riverdale, ND. I hate to fly so the nonstop was perfect because I didn’t have to go through take off and landing more than once! Guess I will be driving this summer.

Comment on Free Parking Ramps At Night, Weekends Great Idea by admin

admin — Fri, 04 May 2012 19:24:05 +0000

I firmly believe everyone is entitled to voice their opinion, provided it doesn’t cause harm. Have a good day.

Comment on Free Parking Ramps At Night, Weekends Great Idea by Lynette Lauer

Lynette Lauer — Fri, 04 May 2012 19:21:34 +0000

Well, thank you for listening! It’s not my problem and if the folks gettin’ screwed don’t care, why should I? I just think it needs to brought to peoples attention.
When they insist that the “Downtowners ass.” wants something that doesn’t help anyone but the Pres.of the ass. It just doesn’t sit right with me.

Now I’m off to other endeavors!
PS. Thanks for running a page that let’s everyone have a say, even if it’s not popular!

Comment on Free Parking Ramps At Night, Weekends Great Idea by admin

admin — Fri, 04 May 2012 18:59:09 +0000

The parking ramps are underused moreso in the evenings and weekends than during the day, which is why it makes sense to open them to free parking during those hours rather than during the day. However, I still agree that employees and residents should be the ones with free parking options. That would be the better solution, but I’m not in charge.

Comment on Free Parking Ramps At Night, Weekends Great Idea by admin

admin — Fri, 04 May 2012 18:55:52 +0000

I didn’t say free parking during the day wouldn’t increase tax revenue.

Comment on Free Parking Ramps At Night, Weekends Great Idea by Lynette Lauer

Lynette Lauer — Fri, 04 May 2012 18:50:25 +0000

And providing free parking for the businesses that are open during the day would not increase tax revenue? I’m sure jewelry, shoe, furniture, and clothing stores pay taxes?
The only “parking issue” is that certain people want something for nothing.

Comment on Free Parking Ramps At Night, Weekends Great Idea by admin

admin — Fri, 04 May 2012 18:45:10 +0000

It could be argued that making parking easier would bring more patrons to downtown businesses and, in turn, increase local tax revenue from their increased patronage that would cover the lost revenue from parking fees.

I’m not in favor of 100% eliminating parking fees, just a solution that provides relief to either certain groups (ie employees) or during specific time frames (like this) that would, in turn, help solve downtown’s parking issues without wasting $7 million on yet another unused parking ramp.

Comment on Free Parking Ramps At Night, Weekends Great Idea by Lynette Lauer

Lynette Lauer — Fri, 04 May 2012 18:38:21 +0000

That’s part of the reason for paid parking! To cover insurance, maintainence, etc. If there’s an accident in the parking lot at Bucks who covers that?

Comment on Free Parking Ramps At Night, Weekends Great Idea by Lynette Lauer

Lynette Lauer — Fri, 04 May 2012 18:35:21 +0000

I also own property downtown that’s right across from a parking ramp. It has a fully equipped restaurant and once contained a bar. This will be an added benefit when I sell the building. So they’re increasing my property value and I should really just keep my mouth shut and thank them. I just can’t stand the greed and arrogance of business owners who don’t mind giving working people the shaft for their personal profit.
I’ve always stood up for people who can’t, or won’t speak for themselves. (As you can imagine, it’s made me an outcast in this area). And that makes me proud.

Comment on Free Parking Ramps At Night, Weekends Great Idea by admin

admin — Fri, 04 May 2012 18:33:49 +0000

Those factors (ie lawsuit, security, etc.) are still present with paid parking as well. There will indeed be additional maintenance if there’s an increase in use due to free parking, but the same would be the case for free parking to employees/residents instead of visitors. I really don’t expect a huge spike in usage from this ordinance, however. People find the ramps an annoyance.

I did mention in the article that there are issues that need addressing to make free parking work effectively. This is why this is just a trial run for now.

Comment on Free Parking Ramps At Night, Weekends Great Idea by Lynette Lauer

Lynette Lauer — Fri, 04 May 2012 18:25:31 +0000

The downtown employees, who PAY to park will have to make up for the lost revenue, for the new equipment necessary to implement this (estimated to be over $60,000.) for the added security and cleaning. The entire city will be paying for police presence (note how it’s recently been made “more convenient” for the police to patrol inside the ramps) AND since this is city property, who pays in the event of a lawsuit?? I’ve never witnessed the patrons of three bars, all attempt to exit a ramp at closing time, but I’m sure it will be interesting.

Comment on Free Parking Ramps At Night, Weekends Great Idea by admin

admin — Fri, 04 May 2012 17:33:45 +0000

This ordinance might not benefit everyone, but it does help many and doesn’t harm anything. Offering free parking to employees/residents is better, but this is still better than nothing.

Comment on Free Parking Ramps At Night, Weekends Great Idea by Lynette Lauer

Lynette Lauer — Fri, 04 May 2012 17:12:50 +0000

That’s exactly the problem I have with this. They fought for a measure that in no way benefits ALL the businesses, only the bigwigs in the association.

Comment on Free Parking Ramps At Night, Weekends Great Idea by admin

admin — Fri, 04 May 2012 17:10:05 +0000

The “lower case letters and numbers” refers to the username. Your browser’s cache may have stored your previously entered information so you may need to close the browser window and re-open; or refresh your cache.

Comment on Free Parking Ramps At Night, Weekends Great Idea by admin

admin — Fri, 04 May 2012 17:04:11 +0000

The purpose of the Downtowner’s Association is to benefit ALL downtown businesses and it’s natural that downtown businesses will be on its board.

I’m not into “rallying” for support on anything. Occasionally, my articles do offer suggestions or opinions, but, in the end, I trully believe that it’s up to the general public to make their own determination and take action as they see needed.

Comment on Free Parking Ramps At Night, Weekends Great Idea by Lynette Lauer

Lynette Lauer — Fri, 04 May 2012 17:02:49 +0000

Lol. I’m trying to register with the site. Wazzz up?? It keeps saying “only lower case letters and numbers”. Okay, did that. Still getting the same message.

Comment on Free Parking Ramps At Night, Weekends Great Idea by Lynette Lauer

Lynette Lauer — Fri, 04 May 2012 16:48:06 +0000

I’m happy to hear someone with sense. So why aren’t you rallying for the workers?
As far as listing them: let me help.

1) Peacock Alley, run by the President of the Downtowners ass.
2) Toasted Frog, the Downtowners ass. has him listed as Vice President or by Board Member.
3) Blarney Stone. Their affiliation with the Downtowners ass. is unknown.

Of course future beneficiaries will be in the new businesses of Dr. Becker’s building.

Comment on Taco Palenque Now Open by Lynette Lauer

Lynette Lauer — Fri, 04 May 2012 16:37:28 +0000

To the owners: Any publicity is good publicity. Even before I bought “Grandmas House” some of these wonderful “North Dakota Nice” locals tried to use the local news to run me out of business. The result?? I haven’t spent $1.00 on advertising and I’ve gotten calls from people all over the state.
I didn’t hear about your place before reading this article. So embrace the media, they are only helping you!! And it’s especially sweet when that wasn’t their intention!

Comment on Free Parking Ramps At Night, Weekends Great Idea by admin

admin — Fri, 04 May 2012 16:26:46 +0000

I actually support free parking for employees MORE than for guests because it would free up street parking for visitors.

Comment on Free Parking Ramps At Night, Weekends Great Idea by admin

admin — Fri, 04 May 2012 16:25:46 +0000

I’m not going to list every bar and restaurant that would benefit from free parking for its guests.

Also… I DO support providing downtown employees with free parking, and have said so multiple times, including in this article: http://www.bismarckcafe.com/blogs/6194/new-downtown-parking-ordinance-in-bismarck

Quote From Article: “to improve downtown’s parking situation, we need to find a parking solution for its employees that would free up parking for visitors. One way of doing this would be to offer free parking passes to downtown businesses”

Comment on Free Parking Ramps At Night, Weekends Great Idea by Lynette Lauer

Lynette Lauer — Fri, 04 May 2012 16:20:29 +0000

Lol. Really?? Name them. Providing downtown EMPLOYEES with free parking would benefit each and every business. Do you really believe that people who are downtown working for $8.00 an hour should pay to park, but people who are downtown drinking $8.00 beer should get subsidized (free) parking??

Comment on Fort Lincoln Internment Camp by Robert V. Nightingale

Robert V. Nightingale — Fri, 27 Apr 2012 01:44:55 +0000

My grandfather was held in the Ft. Lincoln camp during WWII. My grandmother's letters to him are in a recently published book Camp Letters: 1942-1945. It's good that the world remembers.

Comment on Taco Palenque Now Open by Who Cares

Who Cares — Wed, 25 Apr 2012 17:44:35 +0000

The last commenter took the words right out of my mouth. If the people making these vulgar comments are any indication of the type of people running the place it definitly doesn’t make me want to go there.

Comment on North Dakota Blue Law / Sunday Opening Law by Common Sense

Common Sense — Wed, 25 Apr 2012 15:46:49 +0000

This law needs to be abolished, its the stupidest law ever!