Council not ready to drop casino talk
Revenue and location questions still to be answered
http://www.thespec.com/news/local/ar...op-casino-talk
Brian McHattie and Sam Merulla may be ready to walk away from the casino conversation, but others on council say their proposed motion to do so is premature.
“I think it’s knee-jerk,” said Ward 8 councillor Terry Whitehead. “I think the reality is we’re not doing taxpayers any favours by taking such a position.”
Whitehead wants to know what kind of revenue the city could take in from a new facility before he makes any decisions.
But time is of the essence after the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation (OLG) rejected council’s request last week to delay making a casino decision until after a referendum in the 2014 municipal election.
The OLG wants a decision ASAP.
McHattie and Merulla reacted to that information late last week by announcing they would move that council reject a casino now.
But Ward 12 councillor Lloyd Ferguson says it’s still too early to decide one way or the other: “It’s way too premature.”
“We need a lot more information—if we say yes, what’s our share of the profits? Is Flamboro OK? There are a lot of outstanding issues … it’s way too early to make a decision on this. It may be the right thing, but I just want to know all the revenue, the social costs, a potential location,” Ferguson said.
Ward 7 councillor Scott Duvall agrees.
“Council just formed a subcommittee last week to determine what conditions should be met for a casino in Hamilton. The subcommittee has not had a meeting yet, and we should at least allow them some time to work on proposals,” he said in an email Saturday.
Flamboro Downs is a unanimous priority. While Ward 14 councillor Robert Pasuta says he’s not sure the city needs a new casino, he would like to see the conversation continue.
“I’m not cutting loose yet. I’m staying with working with the casino, and the horse racing part of it …I don’t think it’s a dead issue yet. We shouldn’t give up contact with the OLG.”
Despite the OLG’s rejection, Ward 13 councillor Russ Powers says a referendum is still necessary before any decisions are made.
“I would strongly suggest that council says no to the OLG now and still put a referendum to all Hamilton citizens in a 2014 Municipal Elections question ... let the people state their preference one way or the other,” he said.
The OLG has said it will not force a casino on any city that decides against one.