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Commissioners concerned about slot deal, but won’t seek lawsuit

Ty Greenlees/Trotter driver Justin Hall covered in mud after a race at Lebanon Raceway. The GM of Lebanon Raceway said owners are looking to build a new horse racing track and gambling facility along I-75 between the Dayton Mall and Monroe.

Staff photo by Ty Greenlees Ty Greenlees/Trotter driver Justin Hall covered in mud after a race at Lebanon Raceway. The GM of Lebanon Raceway said owners are looking to build a new horse racing track and gambling facility along I-75 between the Dayton Mall and Monroe.

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By Denise G. Callahan, Staff Writer Updated 5:40 PM Tuesday, July 14, 2009

Commissioner Mike Kilburn’s concerns about the governor’s plan to bring video slots to horse race tracks go beyond Warren County.

In fact, Kilburn asked first assistant prosecutor Bruce McGary Tuesday, July 14, at a commission meeting to check into the possibility of challenging the governor’s deal with a lawsuit.

All three Warren County commissioners said the new deal Gov. Ted Strickland struck to get slot machines at the seven race tracks, including Lebanon Raceway, may be unconstitutional because it is essentially a law that benefits just the individuals who own the racetracks.

However, the other two commissioners, Dave Young and Pat South, don’t agree the county should challenge the deal with a lawsuit. Young seemed to consider the possibility of a suit during the Tuesday morning meeting, but in the afternoon he said wasn’t interested in pursuing legal channels.

“I’m too busy dealing things here in the county,” said South, adding there are plenty of lobbyists and others in Columbus who will take up the gauntlet.

All three commissioners voiced their displeasure with state legislators, accusing them of trying to solve budgetary woes by legalizing gambling, rather than cutting spending.

“It’s almost laughable, that grown, educated men sitting up there in Columbus think it’s a good idea to legalize gambling to bail us out,” Kilburn said.

Young said people at the lowest end of the socioeconomic spectrum and the elderly will get sucked into spending their extra cash on slots instead of boosting the economy.

“That $50 or $75 is gone from our economy; they’re not buying a TV or any other good or service,” he said. “It’s literally an economic black hole when you’re talking about video slots. It’s crazy, it goes against everything a free democracy is supposed to do.”

Contact this reporter at (513) 696-4525 or dcallahan@coxohio.com.

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