Here is a second story on the same issue but with additional details.
http://www.journal-news.net/page/con....html?nav=5006
Table games vote slated to take place on Dec. 5
By Naomi Smoot / Journal Staff Writer
POSTED: September 18, 2009
FAST FACTS
Jefferson County's commissioners officially set the first Saturday in December, Dec. 5, for the referendum on table games at Charles Town Races & Slots. Early voting will be from Nov. 13 to Dec. 2.
CHARLES TOWN - Jefferson County's commissioners have unanimously approved a Dec. 5 vote on table games.
On Thursday, commissioners voted 5-0 to approve the referendum date that had been requested by Charles Town Races & Slots.
The election will be financed by the company, and will give residents in Jefferson County a chance to determine whether they would like to see games like poker and blackjack added at the local racino.
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 soundly rejected the proposal.
This time around, a group of residents has gathered to push the games, something officials with the race track said they would need to see in order to put the issue back before voters.
At least one member of the County Commission, Patsy Noland, has publicly acknowledged she plans to vote in favor of the proposal.
According to Al Britton, the facility's general manager, 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.
"We are excited that Jefferson County residents will soon have the opportunity to vote for table games," he stated in a release issued later Thursday noting that table games have the potential to create new jobs, and help protect the 1,200 existing positions at the track.
Still, some have reservations about the proposal.
Members of the commission noted that there are reports showing slots revenues could decrease as a result of the addition of table games.
Others noted concerns that have been expressed about whether legislation pertaining to the games gives a fair shake to local horsemen.
"This commission has expressed a concern, I believe all of us have, many times, about protection of the horse racing industry in this county," said Commissioner Frances Morgan, adding that there are some in the community who fear the games won't be beneficial for those in the horse industry.
Jeanine Watson is among those individuals, she said during the commission's public comment period Thursday morning.
She expressed her reservations about the bill, and its implications for local horse racing. She urged Charles Town Races & Slots to hold off on the vote until legislators could work to make changes that she said are necessary.
"This is a costly bill, the way it's written for Jefferson County. We can make it so much better. We can make it like the slots bill," Watson said.
If changes are made, she added, everyone could get on board with the gaming proposal, and "make this the best little horse house in the country."