Sue Jeffers has owned Stub & Herb’s restaurant and bar for 26 years, on a popular corner at the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis. She started fighting eminent domain, or the taking of private property by government, in New Brighton. But when smoking bans were passed in some cities and counties, she became an outspoken opponent and is now running for governor under the Libertarian Party banner.
“I watched my city try to use eminent domain on three different businesses. I decided I needed a new city council member in New Brighton. This was about four years ago. She won. We kicked butt.I started getting e-mails and calls, and then the smoking ban came along. Now you’re talking about my livelihood.
To me it’s always been about property rights. As far as the public health argument, it just doesn’t stand up. Decisions like that have to be backed up by sound science, and this is just not. The scare tactics have gotten to be used too much in the last few years.
I’ve been here, at Stub & Herb’s, for 26 years. When I started, they told me I couldn’t run a business, that I was way too young.
They said I couldn’t get the Hennepin County smoking ban amended, and I got it amended. [Early in 2006 the county repealed the ban.]Now they say I can’t be governor, and that’s fine with me. They can keep underestimating me.
We are so over regulated in the bar business. So many people are afraid of speaking out. I was inspected by everyone you could be inspected by, since I started opposing the ban. I’ve been inspected by the boiler inspector. I practically have the fire inspector on speed dial. Did they harass me? Yes, they harassed me.
The media have been good to me. They know I’m always good for a good quote. I’m not going to sit down and shut up.
I keep this letter on the wall downstairs, from Pawlenty, a signed letter, saying he would not raise the minimum wage without a tips exemption. He did that.
I have higher taxes. We have three publicly funded stadium proposals. There are millions of dollars worth of increased fees in the state, and so on with the list. And all from a Republican base.
Was there a turning point when I decided to run for governor? It was a little bit here and a little bit there. I’m 49 years old. I don’t have time to start from the bottom and work my way up. I met for several hours with people in the Republican party, who want me to start at a lower office. I’m in the race to win.
Do you know there are 456,000 small businesses in Minnesota? That’s a lot of economic impact.
Since I said I’m running for governor, the response has been amazing. Thank you, people say. Go get ’em. They’re supportive because I’m a woman. They’re supportive because I’m outspoken. If I stand up for the smokers I’ll stand up for everyone, because smokers are the scum of the earth now.
When the smoking ban came, it feels just like the people who have to deal with eminent domain. They have no money. They have no resources. It’s like you’re lost in the wilderness.
My property rights trump their entitlement rights every single day of the week. It’s my business. I pay the taxes. I take the risk. Your property is your castle. It’s written in the Constitution.
Eminent domain is everywhere, it’s in St. Paul and New Brighton, and Minneapolis. There are over 3,000 different agencies who can exercise eminent domain.
It’s scary to throw yourself out there. People call me up on the radio and yell at me, and I’m not even the governor.
I have a small business. I am a corporate giant. I am the president, the vice president and the treasurer. I am also the janitor, the bartender. An hour ago I was the plumber. That’s what I love about it, because every day is different.
I am a common sense sort of boss, but don’t screw with me. I hate a liar. I hate a thief. Strong words I know. Has this style developed over time? I’ve always been a bitch. [laughs]
If I make a bad decision, I can change it on the way in to work. My biggest asset has always been, I always hire good people. They need to make up areas where I am weak. I will not hire a yes man or woman.
When I first decided to speak out against the smoking ban, I was worried it would affect my business. But somebody has to do it. People reach the breaking point, and I reach the breaking point quicker than others.
People are afraid to get out there. They’re afraid they’ll look stupid. But it’s amazing what you can do if you try.
When I’m governor, the first bill I’ll pass is the property rights bill. I think it will pass in this session, actually. I don’t think a statewide smoking ban will pass. Outstate will never go for it. There’s always a border. There’s always a casino. There’s always non-complianceI’m down 14 percent in sales, at Stub & Herb’s. In Northeast Minneapolis, one bar owner is down $1.8 million. Another bar owner is out of business; she’s meeting with her bankruptcy lawyer.
To get ready for the ban, I did a lot of different things. I brought down my food costs, I got a license so I could have live music. I built the deck. I added Texas Hold ‘Em, cut my staff. Still the ban has cost me a couple hundred thousand dollars.
It’s tough enough to own a business in this state without having an excessive burden like a ban.”
— As told to Beth Ewen
[contact]
Sue Jeffers owns Stub & Herb’s in Minneapolis,
and is running for governor:
651.636.6355; info@suejeffers.org; www.suejeffers.org
