Gambling news from http://www.theintelligencer.net/
City leaders have implemented a moratorium prohibiting skilled gambling machines and establishments in St. Clairsville, pending approval of more specific legislation.
After listening to a presentation about skilled gambling by Pittsburgh resident Helena McKinney, the seven members of St. Clairsville City Council unanimously approved the moratorium.
“We don’t need these places in our town,” said Councilwoman Ginny Favede.
The moratorium took effect Monday.
McKinney, a single mom and paralegal who owns a chain of businesses across Ohio called Paradise House of Skill, told council her games are different than poker machines.
“They are definitely not gambling,” she claimed.
Games of skill are legal under Ohio Revised Code. McKinney said she has received support from such counties including Franklin, Mahoning, Meigs and Summitt and has opened two new businesses in Lisbon and Streetsboro.
“There is a big loophole in the law in reference to these machines,” she added. “We don’t open them near schools, churches or libraries. We pay city fees on the machines, and we also have a set of rules that we strictly abide by.”
Among the rules are prohibitions against anyone under age 21 entering the establishments and against loitering.
“We don’t like police involvement, and we don’t serve alcohol,” McKinney said. “We serve free food, coffee and soft drinks, and we even have a hot food buffet on Friday and Saturday nights.
“We bring revenue and jobs into a city, but we won’t go into a town if it doesn’t want us.”
Mayor Robert Vincenzo said a skilled gambling parlor already is located just outside the city limits in the former Ohio Motor Vehicle License Bureau building off Willow Grove Road.
The cities of Steubenville and Mingo Junction also have been working in recent weeks to limit and regulate skilled gambling in their communities≥
In other business, council unanimously approved the following ordinances:
∫ An ordinance authorizing and directing the mayor to enter into a contractual agreement with street engineering and surveying for the U.S. 40 east project. This will be paid for by the Federal Transportation Fund, not out of the city budget, according to Service Director Dennis Bigler.
∫ An ordinance authorizing and directing the mayor to submit application materials to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development for the Clarendon Hotel building restoration project. The city is to receive $99,000 in special project funds.
In other business, Police Chief Martin Kendzora told council that the annual Homecoming Parade will be held Thursday at 6:30 p.m. It will begin at the high school and travel down Woodrow Street to Marietta Street to Main Street and finally Sugar Street before winding up at the high school.
He said the Marietta Street-Main Street intersection will be closed at 6 p.m. until the parade passes.
A speeding issue on Main Street by the Convenient Store was also discussed, mainly due to the fact that a day care center is nearby. ‘‘The speed limit is 35 mph, but it may be lowered,’’ Favede noted.
|
|
World Casino Directory 
Gambling Forums 
