EDITOR’S NOTE: Below is a selection of the responses from readers of MDJOnline.com in reaction to recent MDJ stories.

Square, tattoo parlor, and its awning, debated by readers …

Susan Lovely wrote — Looks better than The Strand to me!

Seriously wrote — The council needs to worry more about the huge gigantic hole, and not about what color a sign is.

RINOs B Gone wrote — These supposedly freedom loving/ pro business RINO politicos are nothing more than nanny statists.

Catmndu wrote — The issue is not the awning, it is the nature of the business. I invite anyone on the council to walk into a room with 20 people and you will find at least 10 have tattoos. Marietta needs to grow with the times and embrace diversity.

JenM1980 wrote — I am a conservative mom of two and a business owner myself, but I have a recent tattoo and ears double pierced. Tattoos are ART, and by assuming that only lower class citizens get them is absurd. Instead of harping on the color of the sign, they need to be thankful for another business making it out there and paying taxes to pay their salaries!

WestCobber wrote — This is a legitimate business that is a far cry from what a tattoo parlor may have been in the past. This business is more of a spa.

Tasha Mae wrote — In the 17 yrs I’ve lived in Cobb and said “One of these days I need to visit the shops in the Square” I had yet to do it until Lucky Draw opened their newest location on the square. As a patron of Lucky Draw I have to say I am overly happy to show my ink off and my support for Phillip Duke’s shop.

MamaDawg727 wrote — I think you need to get to the true issue, which is NOT the awning!! You just don’t want a tattoo parlor in the Square. I have been tattooed 3 times, all at Lucky Draw I am a mother of 4 and a business owner. They are very professional and always keep their shop clean. I think some of the people who are against this should get their noses out of the clouds before they get a nose bleed on their $500 suits.

Dededededededede wrote — Maybe they should only allow horse and buggies on the streets in downtown Marietta? It’s not any worse then Eddie’s Trick Shops Purple sign or the nice green dumpsters right next to the coin shop.

Jeff S. wrote — If you want a park with vacant buildings around it buy the properties from the owners and make it that way. I thought the whole idea of Marietta Square was to draw business and businesses to Marietta. This supports Marietta with the rental money, tax money and not to mention the extra business it will bring from the Lucky Draw Tattoo customers at the Pizza place, local pubs, and all the other small businesses in the area! It sounds like Grif Chalfant needs to find a real job or maybe find out how difficult it is to maintain a business in today’s weak economy! Go Lucky Draw, yellow is a fine color!

KarlaI wrote — Seems to me, that there are certainly more important and or pressing things that the council should be concerned with. Get a life people and leave other honest hardworking people to live theirs and to have the opportunity to run their businesses and make a decent living.

Square local wrote — The “updated” Theater on the Square is ugly, not Lucky Draw’s awning. Lucky Draw is a perfect fit for the square, especially next to McCracken’s (the best bar ever). A lot of tattooed, artistic types frequent the area anyway, so for the Marietta City Council to attack Lucky Draw is the same as attacking Lucky Draw’s and McCracken’s clientele. They really need to get over it, quit being so stuffy, and appreciate the money and business Lucky Draw brings to Marietta.

KSUAlum wrote — Note to Marietta City Council, if you want better businesses in the Square, give better businesses a reason to be there.

Brian30101 wrote — And by the way, Lucky Draw thanks the city council for all the free advertising they are getting with all this.

Brian30101 wrote — I got my last tat from them. They do great work.

Anonymous wrote — So what? I believe Grif Chalfant was also the one complaining a few months ago about the Dollar Tree going into the old drug store location. He doesn’t seem to appreciate the value of having tenants as opposed to vacant space.

MK9978 wrote — People really need to mind their business, I would much rather see a successful business than the increasing amount of vacancies that have been popping up all over the square

Comic Tragedy wrote — That isn’t nearly as ugly as the aluminum triangle over the Theatre in the Square.

Gimme a Break wrote — Way to go Judy (Manning)! Now, if you would only use the same passion and logic as a state legislature. Frankly, there is very little “historic” about the Square anymore. The facade on the Theatre in the Square belongs at Six Flags. The Strand Theatre digital board. The glass and concrete court building. Judy is right. Let the businesses flourish. Stop trying to make the Square static. Let it be dynamic.

Let it Go wrote — The awning may not be the most attractive, but it is a temporary addition to what some might consider a historic structure. It can be removed in the future with little or no harm to the building itself. I don’t have a problem with it. I agree, the most distasteful part to most is the fact it is a tattoo parlor and “gallery” whatever that is. Next to McCracken’s seems to be an ideal spot. Maybe they can work up a Guinness & Tat Special.

Manning ... typical wrote — (James) Eubanks is wrong. The yellow awning is hideous regardless of what business is under it.

So what? wrote — Has Grif Chalfant even bothered to look in the window of the Tattoo Parlor? The inside has new wood flooring and it looks really nice and clean. Is the awning an eyesore? Maybe. But, it’s an awning, not a structural change and it can be taken down in an hour if need be. Get real! This is 2011, grandpa, and the economy is terrible! Let’s be grateful that there is a thriving business on the Square.

Anonymous wrote — Manning is right! The city council and the historic board should BUTT OUT. All these government officials with an opinion on the awning don’t seem to have the conviction to put their own money behind their words and offer to purchase (what they believe to be) a suitable awning for the tattoo parlor. It is the same bunch of brains that brought us the “hole on the square.“

SouthernGal wrote — Yikes ... that is one ugly sign!