When could poker come to Charles Town, WV? - Page 7 - Poker Legislation

Pauky · 10-02-2009, 04:31 PM

It just keeps getting better. This May we'll be playing poker...

Quote:

CHARLES TOWN - The Board of Directors of the Jefferson County Chamber of Commerce has formally endorsed the table games referendum being held Dec. 5.

The endorsement was announced by officials of Charles Town Races & Slots earlier this week.

The Chamber's Board passed their endorsement resolution on Sept. 14.

"We appreciate receiving the support of the Jefferson County Chamber of Commerce," Al Britton, general manager of Charles Town Races & Slots, said. "The addition of table games will protect our current 1,200 direct jobs we provide, while adding more than 500 new local jobs with good benefits to the Jefferson County economy."

He said that Charles Town Races & Slots intends to hire hundreds of local residents and current employees to fill the many new jobs that will be created as a result of table games.

"The Chamber of Commerce's endorsement recognizes the positive impact that table games will have on the local economy, tourism and the many businesses, large and small, that call Jefferson County home." Britton said. "From the preservation of existing business and jobs throughout the county to the creation of new opportunities, this is truly a win-win for all of us."

In an earlier statement, he said the games have the potential to bring as much as $6.5 million worth of additional tax revenues to the county, its board of education and area municipalities.

It will be the second time that area voters will have had a chance to cast ballots on the matter. Residents headed to the polls in June 2007 as well. At that time, they rejected the proposal by a significant margin.

The Chamber Board's resolution supporting passage of the referendum reads in part that "Whereas, on Dec. 5, Jefferson County residents will be given the opportunity to vote on a referendum to allow table games at Charles Town Races & Slots, which will provide additional jobs and dedicate millions of dollars in support of local schools and service, while preserving family farms and open space,"

Polls will be open from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Dec. 5. Early voting will be during regular business hours from Nov. 13 through Dec. 2, including the Saturdays of Nov. 21 and 28, at the Jefferson County Courthouse.

For more information about the table games referendum, go to www.yesforjeffersoncounty.com.

Source:
http://www.journal-news.net/page/con....html?nav=5006

Coy_Roy · 10-02-2009, 05:54 PM

That's great news and they're right about the money this will bring in.

BOATLOADS.

The DC/Baltimore area has an incredible amount of poker players who aren't gonna mind the drive one bit.

I don't want to count my chips while I'm at the table though, there's still the tiny matter of a vote.

Dirty elections can happen anywhere.

MillConsole542 · 10-07-2009, 01:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Coy_Roy

I read something about an annual parade that may impede traffic or cause people to forgo the vote ?

It is actually a parade that is held anually by the city of Charles Town where the track itself is located.

Some have looked to the parade as possibly impeding voters from making it to the polls. However, im assuming though that this was all taken into consideration and the track could have set the vote for essentially any day they wanted. Some of the table game supporters are making that case that because of the extra people being out for the parade, there will be more voters at the ready to try and push this puppy through.

I dont know this for fact, but I would assume that they will take every step necessary to assure that everyone who wants to vote will be able to. Mobile poll stations anyone!!!!??

Jay67s · 10-09-2009, 07:28 AM

There are actually two Christmas parades, one in Charles town in the afternoon and one in Shepardstwon in the morning. The people from the track and count council don't think it will be a big issue with the vote, and some believe that since people are already out, they will be more likely to vote. Also, Jefferson county allows early voting at the courthouse for a few weeks before the election, hopefully alot of people will take advantage of that.

DeadMoneyDad · 10-09-2009, 11:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Coy_Roy

That's great news and they're right about the money this will bring in.

BOATLOADS.

The DC/Baltimore area has an incredible amount of poker players who aren't gonna mind the drive one bit.

I don't want to count my chips while I'm at the table though, there's still the tiny matter of a vote.

Dirty elections can happen anywhere.

Well the casinos are running TV ads now. Not too badly made either...

Pauky · 10-09-2009, 01:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DeadMoneyDad

Well the casinos are running TV ads now. Not too badly made either...

I recently heard this too. You must live in or around Charles Town. Perhaps you can give periodic updates here on the mood of the poeple, how things might be going, etc.

DeadMoneyDad · 10-10-2009, 11:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pauky

I recently heard this too. You must live in or around Charles Town. Perhaps you can give periodic updates here on the mood of the poeple, how things might be going, etc.

This ran in Northern VA. I think it was a local channel, but not sure.

Jay67s · 10-20-2009, 07:28 AM

A new article in the journal about table games:

CHARLES TOWN - Charles Town Races & Slots on Monday hosted the first of what likely will be many town hall meetings concerning the hotly-debated table games referendum in Jefferson County.

The public meeting was held in the facility's banquet room.

CTRS General Manager Al Britton presented a number of reasons why voting "yes" in the election on Dec. 5 would greatly benefit the county.

The election will be the second opportunity for Jefferson County residents to cast their vote on the matter. In 2007, a majority of voters sided against the proposal, which would bring card games like poker and blackjack to the casino, which currently offers horse racing and slots......

Here's the link:
http://www.journal-news.net/page/con....html?nav=5006

Two of the three comments on the article were against table games. I have been hearing positive radio commercials lately, but to be honest no one I "hang around" with is talking about table games. I don't think this is a done deal, the people who don't gamble have to have a reason to vote (or they will just not vote), the more money for the county schools is increased, but so will traffic in a very narrow traffic corridor. The people against gambling in general are always going to come out and vote No. That was proven last time. Penn National needs to really really increase the exposure to the issue in the next 5 weeks.

Pauky · 10-20-2009, 06:26 PM

Thanks for sharing Jay67.

gcasmith74 · 10-21-2009, 12:41 PM

Another new article about the vote. If you haven't looked at the comments (for this article or the one Jay67 posted) I think it is worth your time so you can see there are some really adamant people out there against table games in Jefferson County.

http://www.journal-news.net/page/con....html?nav=5006

Britton touts table games
Racino hosts second town hall meeting

By Naomi Smoot, Journal staff writer
POSTED: October 21, 2009

CHARLES TOWN - Downstairs, hundreds of slot machines dinged noisily away as patrons at Charles Town Races & Slots sat hoping to win the big one.

Upstairs, meanwhile, company officials were making a pitch to local residents in hopes of winning one of their own.

Jefferson County residents will head to the polls Dec. 5 to determine whether table games such as black jack, poker and roulette should be added to the facility's offerings.

If they are, Al Britton, the facility's general manager, said it could generate 500 new jobs and millions of dollars in tax revenues for Jefferson County, local schools and area municipalities.

"We talk about ourselves as an economic engine, and I think we have a very compelling story," Britton told those on hand Tuesday evening for the second town hall meeting the racino hosted on the issue this week....

Coy_Roy · 10-22-2009, 01:33 AM

I'm starting to get a bad feeling.

borgatabud · 10-22-2009, 07:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Coy_Roy

I'm starting to get a bad feeling.

You're right. Penn Nat'l is putting more effort into the vote this time w/ radio ads etc but the key imo is still motivating enough people to the extent necessary for them to make a special trip to vote on this single issue.

If somehow every registered voter in the county were forced to vote I think it would probably pass. What concerns me is that many of the potential "yes" votes don't care enough about the issue to make the trip to the polls, whereas the "no" voters, some being the morality police, may be more motivated.

Unfortunately there are probably more people outside of WV who care about this than live in Jeff. County.

Crossing my fingers for Dec 5.

gcasmith74 · 10-23-2009, 12:02 PM

A little good news today I think, more endorsements for the yes side.

"Three organizations that represent the interests of area horsemen have joined the growing list of agencies that are standing in support of table games in Jefferson County."

Coy_Roy · 10-25-2009, 04:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gcasmith74

A little good news today I think, more endorsements for the yes side.

"Three organizations that represent the interests of area horsemen have joined the growing list of agencies that are standing in support of table games in Jefferson County."

That was a very good article to read.

I'm feeling much better now.

Let's hope that this message spreads to every single horseman.

The Hands · 10-25-2009, 10:21 PM

I stopped at Charles Town Races today after a visit to Harper's Ferry.

My first time there. Thought it was nice but could use to more restaurants and bars. I noticed that on the map of the Casino, an area was marked off titled "Future Gaming"

I think they might be a little too optimistic.