By Pat Hatfield
posted Jun 20, 2008 - 9:29:56am
Voters in Sumter County said a firm "no" to a quarter-horse track and poker room proposed by Green Bridge Co.
The company, based in Bettendorf, Iowa, is the same one that wants to build a quarter-horse track and poker room in DeBary.
"Nay" votes accounted for 58.8 percent of the ballots cast in the Sumter referendum conducted June 17; yes votes accounted for 41.1 percent of the 16,978 ballots cast.
A voter referendum was required in Sumter County because state regulations require voters to approve pari-mutuel operations. In Volusia County, pari-mutuel operations — like the Daytona Beach Kennel Club, for example — were approved long ago, so no referendum is required when new ones are added. Proper zoning, however, is required.
In March, Green Bridge made simultaneous applications to the state for pari-mutuel operations in both Sumter County and DeBary, in Volusia County.
Green Bridge officials will have to get approval from the DeBary City Council before developing DeBary Downs at the corner of Dirksen Drive and U.S. Highway 17-92.
DeBary Mayor George Coleman said he didn't think the Sumter County vote would have much effect on DeBary residents. He believes most of DeBary residents are already opposed to a betting operation in DeBary.
"I had a whole lot of e-mails about it," he said. While four or five writers said they were in favor of the facility, Coleman got more than 100 e-mails opposing it.
He expects more by the end of this week, with another flier urging opposition to DeBary Downs expected to appear in DeBary mailboxes.
Delaware North, owners of the Daytona Beach Kennel Club, are helping finance the flier campaign, according to a Delaware North spokeswoman. She also confirmed the company is talking with Spring Garden Ranch in DeLeon Springs about the possibility of running a pari-mutuel facility there, with both horse races and a poker room. There are no firm plans for a DeLeon Springs operation yet, she added.
Coleman isn't happy about the flood of fliers, but said he doesn't see a future for the pari-mutuel operation in DeBary.
DeBary Vice Mayor Chris Carson, whose interest appeared piqued when he first heard about the proposed horse-and-poker facility a couple of months ago, told The Beacon June 19, he thinks a lot more research is needed.
"I would like to visit another city similar to DeBary that has it," Carson said.
He added, "I think the best thing is to wait until there's a new council."
DeBary residents will go to the polls this fall to elect two City Council members and a mayor. Candidates are already lining up to run.
Carson will end his two-term tenure at the end of 2008, and isn't eligible for re-election.
Daytona Beach attorney Ty Harris, who represents Green Bridge Co., was not available for comment at press time.
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