Reporting on proposal that would require Seattle businesses to pay sick leave for employees, Cienna Madrid jumps into the fight among local restaurant owners:

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  • Kelly O
"My employees don't want paid sick days; they want health insurance and retirement," says Dave Meinert, co-owner of Capitol Hill's Big Mario's and owner of the 5 Point Cafe downtown. Meinert's argument is a common refrain—offering paid sick leave will cut into the other benefits employers could offer. He's not alone. Successful restaurateurs such as Linda Derschang (owner of Linda's Tavern, Smith, Oddfellows Cafe, and others) and John Howie (owner of the Seastar restaurants) are against the plan, as is the Greater Seattle Chamber of Commerce. Washington Restaurant Association president Anthony Anton says the measure could cost restaurants up to $175,000 a year. All of them have been lobbying the city council to kill the proposal before Licata even introduces it....

Others disagree.

"I love you, but you're wrong," counters Molly Neitzel, owner of Molly Moon's Homemade Ice Cream, which has one of its shops around the corner from Meinert's pizza joint.

Join the whole kerfuffle here.