Thumbs up to Sheffield City Councilman Steve Stanley for introducing a proposed ordinance to restrict smoking. Members of the public and the business community will have the opportunity to comment on the ordinance Dec. 3. Even though the public comment period is not required, it is a good idea. If approved, the ordinance would prohibit smoking in all public places such as bars, restaurants, health care facilities, government buildings and workplaces.

Thumbs up to volunteers who helped make sure the needy and senior citizens received a hot meal during Thanksgiving. The efforts included players from the Lauderdale County High School football team, who worked with Amy Puckett to feed folks at the Rogersville Senior Center. The players said the community supports them at football games, and they wanted to give something meaningful back to the community.

Thumbs down to former University of Alabama in Huntsville professor Amy Bishop for violent actions that continue to cause harm. Bishop pleaded guilty to shooting six colleagues at UAHuntsville. Three of the colleagues died. Now the state has received a bill of $553,000 for Bishop’s defense team and more bills could be coming. Although Bishop waived her right to an appeal under the plea agreement, she told her lawyers to challenge the conviction and life sentence anyway. Taxpayers will fund that legal fight, too.

Thumbs up to all the local retail employees who have to work so hard during the Christmas shopping season. The period between Black Friday and Christmas Eve translates into longer hours, more time on their feet, more pressure to work quickly, more customers to please and long lines. While the customer may always be right, the customer should show compassion for workers during this stressful time and be just as courteous as workers are expected to be.