NEWS RELEASE
TO:Eastern U.P. Media Network
FROM:Julie K.O. Trotter
Chippewa Co Health Department Tobacco-Free Projects Coordinator
Chippewa CountyTobacco-Free Living Coalition Coordinator
SUBJECT:Ramada Plaza Hotel Ojibway is Smoke-Free!
CONTACT:Julie K.O. Trotter, 635-3636
DATE: November 12, 2009
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
“I have a responsibility here,” said Mary Lou Krieg, owner of the well-known Ramada Plaza Hotel Ojibway in Sault Ste. Marie, “not only to my guests, but to my employees. Going smoke-free not only provides financial benefits for us; it also helps to meet the health needs of our customers, guests and employees. ”
In recognition of this leadership, the Chippewa County Tobacco-Free Living Coalition recently met to commend and congratulate the management team of the Ramada Plaza Hotel Ojibway – also known as the OjibwayRamadaPlaza - for implementing a smoke-free policy in this historical landmark. Their smoke-free leadership was first highlighted in 2001, when Dean and Mary Lou Krieg decided to make Freighters Restaurant smoke-free. More recently, the Captain’s Pub and Grille, went smoke-free, the second “ bar” establishment in ChippewaCounty to put a smoke-free policy in place – effective June 15, 2009. It was at this time that Krieg announced that not only is the Captain’s Pub smoke-free, but also the entire hotel complex will be smoke-free, including the meeting and banquet rooms, effective November 1st.
Both Freighter’s Restaurant and the Captain’s Pub & Grille offer daily specials at a family friendly price - all in a 100% smoke-free environment. “For years, we’ve been known as the fine dining establishment in Sault Ste. Marie,” Krieg commented. “Now, in addition to going smoke-free, we are making some changes in our menu – creating a family friendly image for our establishment. We want people to feel that they can afford both the food and the view and that everyone is welcome to the onsite dining establishments in the Ramada Plaza Hotel Ojibway.”
Rachel Mandelstamm, vice chair of the Chippewa County Tobacco-Free Living Coalition said, “I think it is wonderful that the entire complex will be smoke-free. Secondhand smoke is the second leading cause of preventable death in Michigan, killing nearly 2,000 people every year. We commend Dean and Mary Lou Krieg and their management team for their interest in public health and for taking a stand to protect the health of community members and visitors of Sault Ste. Marie.”
Built in 1927, The Ojibway Ramada Plaza is nestled in Sault Ste. Marie’s Historic Lockside District, overlooking the beautiful Soo Locks and CorpPark. At that time, the hotel had 91 rooms, with many shared bathrooms. Remodeling in 1985 changed the layout and numbers of the hotel rooms to 71 with all private bathrooms. 10 % of the rooms were designated as nonsmoking at that time.
“We purchased the complex in April of 2000,” commented Krieg. “It was about that time when the smoking policy issue changed hands from the franchise company to the owner. It used to be that the franchise company could dictate the number of smoking and non smoking hotel rooms. In the past 10 years or so, most owners can make this decision. We had decided to allocate 90% of our rooms as nonsmoking. We also had requests from our customers to make Freighters Restaurant smoke-free. That policy went into effect on Valentine’s Day of 2001.”
Despite these efforts, Krieg realized that secondhand smoke has no boundaries. “The flow of air through my hotel would bring cigarette, pipe, and cigar smoke from the Captain’s Pub into our nonsmoking areas,” Krieg stated. “I dislike cigarette smoke in my dining room or lobby so I can only imagine how my customers feel. Scientifically, I know secondhand smoke is bad for me – and for others.”
“As owners of several businesses (Comfort Inn & Suites) in Safford Arizona, we realized that smoke-free laws do not negatively impact business,” continued Krieg. “Arizona implemented its statewide smoke-free air law on May 1, 2007, which covers indoor workplaces andpublic places, including bars and restaurants. We saw how much the smoke-free environments meant to our customers. So we decided that we could do this here – ”
General Manager, Susan Michalski said that she thinks that the smoke-free policy is great. “We made sure that all of our employees were aware of the new policy, posted additional signs, and removed ashtrays,” added Michalski. “Most people are very courteous. If they want to smoke, they just step outside. It’s healthier for us all.”
According to Julie Trotter of the Chippewa County Health Department, most worksites and public places are required to be smoke-free in ChippewaCounty by the Chippewa County Clean Indoor Air Regulation, which went into effect on October 11, 2004. However, food service establishments, such as restaurants and bars, are exempt and only common areas of hotels and other multi unit facilities, such as lobbies and hallways are required to be smoke-free.
A comprehensive smoke-free workplace law would protect employees and customers alike from the health dangers of secondhand smoke in all worksites and public places.
For more information about the Chippewa County Clean Indoor Air Regulation and/or the health and financial benefits of a smoke-free policy, please contact the Chippewa County Tobacco-Free Living Coalition c/o the Chippewa County Health Department at 635-3636 or visit To find Michigan smoke-free restaurant listings, please visit For more information about the pending smoke-free worksite legislation in Michigan, visit
Photo:
The Chippewa County Tobacco-Free Living Coalition presents a certificate of recognition to Ramada Plaza Hotel Ojibway owner, Mary Lou Krieg and General Manager, Susan Michalski Left to Right:
Front Row: Susan Michalski, General Manager, Ramada Plaza Hotel Ojibway; Rachel Mandelstamm, Sault Tribe Youth Education and Activities; Mary Lou Krieg, Owner, Ramada Plaza Hotel Ojibway: Danyalle Wyckoff, Sault Tribe Community Health Services;
Back Row: Donna Norkoli, Sault Tribe Community Health Services; Laurie VanSloten, 9 and 10 News/ Fox 32; Lauren Eveleigh, Sault Tribe Community Health Services; and Julie Trotter, Chippewa County Health Department.