110 W. New York Ave., DeLand, FL
386-734-4622
BEACON PHOTO/PAT ANDREWS
In session — Members of the Volusia County Council listen to discussion during their Feb. 9 meeting, at which they OK'd putting a referendum on the November ballot that, if the voters approve it, will allow slot machines in pari-mutuel operations such as the Daytona Beach Kennel Club and Poker Room.
By Pat Andrews
posted Feb 9, 2012 - 5:56:10pm
After brief public comment dominated by owners and attorneys representing the Daytona Beach Kennel Club and Poker Room and also the DeBary Town Center that was targeted for a horse-track and poker room several years ago, the matter came to the Volusia County Council for a vote.
That vote was four to three to approve placing a referendum on the November ballot that would allow slot machines in pari-mutuel establishments such as the Kennel Club, if the Legislature approves a bill that is still in committee and hasn't reached the Senate floor or the House.
County Chair Frank Bruno and Council Members Josh Wagner, Joie Alexander and Carl Persis voted for the measure. Vice Chair Joyce Cusack and Council Members Andy Kelly and Pat Northey voted against it.
Attorney Rob Merrell of Cobb and Cole, representing the Kennel Club, said the Kennel Club wasn't asking the council to decide the merits of the bill, only to put it on the ballot and let the voters decide.
Steve Costa of DeBary Town Center, owner of the site that had been planned for DeBary Downs, told the council that no big interests can sway democracy if the referendum is put on the ballot. "What it comes down to, we're all created equal," he said.
Ty Harris, who represented DeBary Real Estate LLC and the Greenstein family's Green Bridge Co. in trying to get the card room and track approved in DeBary in 2008, said St. Johns and Brevard counties have both put the referendum on their November ballots. Harris told the council he was concerned about a potential challenge if the council didn't put the referendum on the ballot.
Council Member Pat Northey said she opposed the referendum because "It's mud up there. It's muddy; it's dirty," in the Legislature. Noting that no one knows what the bill will permit in its final form, Northey said it could allow blackjack or other forms of gambling.
It's not just about the Kennel Club, she said. "It's about gaming in Volusia County."
DeBary Downs would get another chance. "It's about expanding gambling beyond the dog track," she said.
Northey objected to attorney Harris' threat of lawsuits, as well.
Harris said he was talking about legal action from citizens, not his client DeBary Real Estate Holdings.
Council Member Cusack, who has served in the Legislature, said bills can be changed even at the eleventh hour, and the council would be voting to put a referendum on the ballot when council members don't know what the bill will authorize.
"I want it to be clear: We really don't know what we are voting for today," she said.
Council Member Kelly agreed. Changes in the bill could authorize not only other forms of gambling, but could authorize it at venues other than pari-mutuel facilities. Gambling could be permitted at convenience stores and hotels, just not using the name "casino."
Council Member Wagner said he wouldn't object to expansion of gaming. "I'm just trying to look out for the citizens. I don't want to limit them."
After a discussion with County Attorney Dan Eckert, Council Member Persis said if something "crazy" ends up on the ballot, the council can amend or repeal the referendum before the election.
The bill's current language says that where a referendum or request for a referendum for slots was requested no later than Jan. 31, it would be covered by the bill.
The Daytona Beach Kennel Club and Poker Room made a last-minute request to put the matter on the County Council's Feb. 2 agenda. It was, and then that meeting and hearing were continued until Feb. 9 to get more public input.
The Kennel Club made another last-minute request before the Feb. 9 hearing, stating that because there was confusion over the Jan. 31 date, the matter could be continued.
During his Feb. 9 comments, however, Kennel Club attorney Rob Merrell withdrew that request.
After the hearing, County Chair Bruno told press he had expected a continuance.
Instead, the County Council voted 4-3 to pass the referendum.
Reader Comments
The comments posted below are posted by readers, not by The Beacon staff. These comments express the views and opinions of the authors, and not the administrators, moderators or webmaster. The comments forum is governed by these rules. Please use the report abuse link if you find offensive comments.
Softails or any other establishment should be taxed as any other business except 501C3 loophole busineses of course
They are not above the law or below it.
Perhaps they should become a 501C3 NON Profit and give a cut of their earnings to Breast Cancer research....then avoid any taxes.
I have been to Softails before and offered free breast exams to the dancers. THAT is how nice a guy I am. I volunteered my sevices FREE....surprizingly there we no takers. Life just ain't fair!
Hey Wild Bill mind your own business just because you are an old loser that wants to rot at home do not worry about other people.
You do not intend on gambling good, who would want someone like you in their establishment anyway.
You hate kinky stuff then stay out of the Catholic Church. One of Debary's ex priests was recently arrested in a public Park playing gay boy.
Look on the bright side at least he wasn't molesting children like other Pastors and Priests often do.
We need JOBS...not old grandma's like Pat Northey. Ask Pat about how much money she steered to her project The Gateway Center for the ARTS in Debary. That organization has never paid a dime in taxes yet sponges off the taxpayer. Pat 'NO JOBS' Northey... well at least we will be rid of this old woman soon.
Let's GAMBLE...it would bring in a better class of people than the Gateway Center for the ARTS and pay taxes.
Debary is an old folks home with ZERO Opprotunity...lets bring in fresh money to the city and get rid of some of these 501c3 bum corporations that pay no taxes.
The CITY of DEBARY is $12 million in debt and our leaders need to deal with REALTY over selfish politics.
Pat....report to Debary Manor Old Folks home please stay there please
The Speedway Corp, The Dog track, the big developers, the big hotels, all of them ....are not concerned with the economy of the County only their bottom line.
In most cases gambling only takes money from the poor and gives it to the rich. It creates only marginal paying jobs while scaring off manufacturing and high tech companies looking to relocate.
How many jobs outside of the gambling arena do you think Atlantic City or Las Vegas has? very few
So if we want to do this it has to be limited to those areas already blighted. Let Daytona have it
they will never be a business or family destination. so give up trying and become the center for debochery it use to be. Encorage bike weeks , spring break, speed weeks, gambling and the like. Just keep it away from the westside where we value our way of life and want to keep it.
Comment on this article
Commenting is closed for this article.
If you would like to contribute a letter to the editor, please click here.
Did you find this story interesting or informative? Subscribe to The West Volusia Beacon to read more stories by Pat Andrews, along with others from our award-winning writers. Subscribe now!
Photos - Real Estate - Newcomer's Guide - Beacon Magazines - Advertise - Local Web Sites - About Us - Beacon Archives