In response to the Nov. 12 letter to the editor concerning Smoker’s Island, I’d like to dispel some myths that were presented.
Firstly, Smoker’s Island does not cause any confusion for the bus drivers, nor does it waste fuel for the busses. The author of the previous article gives too little credit to the bus drivers who are highly trained, personable professionals who have good relationships with the smokers at the Islands and know many of them by name.
As for Smoker’s Island wasting fuel — the bus drivers have to stop and open their door at every stop to drop people off anyway. As for it saving time on bus routes — bus drivers have to stick to a strict schedule of where they stop. Every day, the Gold and Brown busses must be at Ackley/Shilling at exactly 8:16, 8:26, 8:48, and 8:56 a.m. Smoker’s Island or not, the busses will have to stick to their schedule and use the same amount of fuel.
Secondly, the letter states, “Many nonsmokers dislike the smell of smoke because some may have asthma.” According the EPA, 7.5 percent of Americans have asthma. I searched far and wide for any article talking about how these people dislike the smell of smoke. Perhaps this was the author of the previous article’s personal experience, but I’d like to see the evidence from the last article about the number of people who dislike smoke because it reminds them they have asthma.
The author’s suggestion to move the Smoker’s Islands is over-the-top. Where would Western get money for a new island far away from the bus stop, and where would you propose setting it up? The middle of the road is off limits, clearly, and we can’t set it up on the sidewalk because we wouldn’t want to upset more asthmatic freshman.
Lastly, the author states she has a, “great dislike for those who smoke.” This makes me sad. The island is a very accepting and friendly group of people. Maybe this smoker-hater should start smoking simply to calm down. You know what? I’d even bum her one.
Terra Warren
WMU freshman
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