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Local News

Monday, September 28, 2009

Poll: Voters supporting casinos plan
The Inn at ONU - Ada
COLUMBUS (AP) -- Ohio voters strongly support a proposal to put casinos in four cities less than two months before they head to the polls to decide a gambling question for the fifth time in 20 years, a poll released Sunday found.

The Ohio Newspaper poll, commissioned by eight newspapers and conducted by the Institute for Policy Research at the University of Cincinnati, found that 59 percent of registered voters support Issue 3 on the Nov. 3 ballot.

Thirty-eight percent oppose the plan to put casinos in Cleveland, Columbus, Cincinnati and Toledo.

The widespread support for the expansion of gambling reflected in the poll does not necessarily mean it will prove successful on Election Day.

Ohio voters have defeated gambling measures four times, beginning in 1990, and some of have received strong support in pre-election polls only to be defeated.

But a key difference this year is the economy, said Eric Rademacher, co-director of the Institute for Policy Research at the University of Cincinnati.

Ohio's unemployment rate in August was 10.8 percent, nearly four points higher than it was last November when voters defeated a proposal to build a casino in Clinton County in southwest Ohio.

Voters could back casinos this time "if they believe gambling will make a difference in improving Ohio's economy," Rademacher said.

The poll found that respondents were more likely to view gambling as a way to help Ohio's economy than making it worse, by a measure of 55 percent to 23 percent. Nineteen percent said it would have no effect.

Despite the overall support for the casino proposal, more than 80 percent of poll respondents said they would seldom or never visit the casinos.

Sponsors of the casino plan, Penn National Gaming and Dan Gilbert, the majority owner of the Cleveland Cavaliers, say the casinos would create 34,000 jobs and bring in $651 million a year in tax revenue.

Opponents say the plan is a bad deal for Ohio since the 33 percent proposed tax rate is lower than in many other states.

James Jensen, a lawyer in Columbus, is leaning toward supporting the proposal because, "I like to gamble."

But he isn't buying the casinos as economic fixer.

"Frankly, it doesn't bring any good jobs into an area. The tax revenues are really minimal. With casinos invariably come crime and gambling problems. Gambling is no panacea for state budget woes."

However, the economic argument sways other voters.

"It would really boost up Cleveland. We need that shot," said David Kolarik Jr., 51, a construction worker from Laborers Local 310 in Cleveland.

The poll found that voters younger than 30 were more likely than older voters to oppose Issue 3, and were more likely to believe casinos would increase gambling addiction.

It also provides a boost to Gov. Ted Strickland's plan to put slot machines at Ohio's horse racing tracks, with 62 percent of respondents favoring the plan.

However, the Ohio Supreme Court has ruled the proposal is subject to a referendum by voters, and its future is uncertain.

The poll, which interviewed 713 respondents from Sept. 16 to Sept. 22, has a margin of error of plus or minus 3.7 percentage points.
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9 Comments

Latest comments listed first.
Pam Greer wrote:
Flood
“ How are they going to put in the retention pond at the cooper field site as shown in the paper, when the city is filling it in as we speak? Isn't that counter active? ”
Tuesday, September 29, 2009 11:20:51 AM
jeff wrote:
Let them build them
“ I don't know if most of you are aware that you can gamble right from your own home, so I doubt putting Casinos in the state is going to lead to much more problem gambling then there already is. Everybody I know that goes to a casino is there to have fun and maybe win some money, but we all know that we will probably lose. We just like to play every now and then. No different than going to a ballgame or catching a movie, it is my business how I spend my money and on what. I would much rather have my losings taxed by the state of Ohio than by Michigan or an Indian Tribe. Nobody I know of thinks this is an answer to our tax problems. But every little bit helps so who cares if it offends your morals, or whatever other reason you all have against it. As an adult in this state I think it's about time we have this choice. ”
Monday, September 28, 2009 8:01:51 PM
Get Real wrote:
A billion dollars leaving the state
“ All these commercials tout that we need to keep this money in our state. That 1 billion dollars are leaving Ohio every year. Well, I don't know about you, but doesn't appear to me that that money has done much to help Detroit and they have 3 casinos in one city. Hopefully that's not what we're aspiring to become. ”
Monday, September 28, 2009 5:35:52 PM
adam wrote:
gambling
“ if everyone would stop gambling and put their money toward some good and feeding slots, this wouldnt be a issue ”
Monday, September 28, 2009 5:16:24 PM
Kirby D. Waaland wrote:
Casino Plan
“ Is this the best plan we can up with - making a living on some other person's misery? With all the "wealth" represented by the latest "Wall Street" trading number -- 9000+ points, one would think there were better solutions for building a better tax-base. ”
Monday, September 28, 2009 4:27:01 PM
courier reader wrote:
robbing from the poor
“ I am really upset that Ohioans are viewing gambling as a financial fix. People are going out of state to gamble. I know of two or three people who have gone about four times. It is so inconvenient for them that they don't go very often.

Gambling would result in some additional tax revenue, but it would leave Ohioans holding the bag for a whole lot of people who are not quite broke yet. They will be, when they get the chance to gamble it away. ”
Monday, September 28, 2009 1:58:10 PM
Pam wrote:
Casino Plan
“ Perhaps instead of having our state taxes withheld from our paychecks, we could take that money and deposit it into a state-run slot machine. That way, I have fun giving my money away and it goes directly to the state! In all seriousness, I would rather pay additional taxes than support casinos in Ohio. Gambling hurts alot of people, and we can't put a price tag on people's lives. Let's take the high road here and vote NO on Issue 3 - again. ”
Monday, September 28, 2009 12:25:56 PM
Thomas wrote:
Issue 3
“ One more thing. Has anyone paid attention to what Senator Bill Seitz is saying? He says the people involved in the letohiovote.org lawsuit told him the Issue 3 casino owners were behind the lawsuit. It would make sense because it gets rid of competition at the race tracks. The problem is now we are facing a budget problem and will have to cut programs and layoff state workers. Do they really expect us to vote for an issue that helps companies if they're tearing the state budget apart? ”
Monday, September 28, 2009 8:18:13 AM
Thomas wrote:
Issue 3
“ Ohio voters need to wake up. One of the Issue 3 companies owns a casino in Pennsylvania where they pay a 55% tax rate, and they make a ton of money. They're proposing to pay Ohio 33%, which means even by Issue 3's own projections, Ohio will get more than $400 Million LESS per year than we would if we had the same tax rate as PA. How can that be a good deal? Do they really need to make that much more in Ohio than they do in PA? If we're going to grant a monopoly in Ohio, we should at least get a fair deal. This is a bad program. The voters of Ohio need to wake up. ”
Monday, September 28, 2009 8:15:26 AM
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Benton Ridge Shooting

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   LOCAL NEWS
  LATEST COMMENTS Last 10 comments submitted by our readers...
M wrote in article "Vote may save some factory jobs in NB":
Kicked
“ I totally agree with you about out with the old and in with the new. It is a lot cheaper to hire a young person then keep the ex... ” Read More...
9/9/2010 10:05:58 AM
e.j. wrote in article "Concealed carry, exotic animal rules":
What would I do?
“ If I were present with my weapon while the place was robbed - probably nothing. No cause to start a shootout and endanger every... ” Read More...
9/9/2010 6:20:59 AM
j wrote in article "Vote may save some factory jobs in NB":
Why
“ Why now offer to keep the plant open, could it be to give them time to finish the Indiana plant without loss of business and for... ” Read More...
9/8/2010 11:14:47 PM
Kicked in the teeth again wrote in article "Fisher blasts Portman":
They are all bad for us
“ Whatever you believe they have a job and we pay for it. Retirement ,Health care etc.. And for them to say we need to be responsi... ” Read More...
9/8/2010 6:21:36 PM
Kicked in the teeth again wrote in article "Vote may save some factory jobs in NB":
Giving in LOL!!
“ If YOU ! had 30 years invested would it be worth 1950.00$ What a joke !! They are just trying to filter out the older workers.So... ” Read More...
9/8/2010 6:13:14 PM
Suzanne Reichert-Cromer wrote in article "Fisher blasts Portman":
Fisher Needs to Get Real
“ Why is Lee Fisher campaigning against George W. Bush? I did not know Bush was running for office in Ohio. The Democrats need t... ” Read More...
9/8/2010 5:58:36 PM
Quickledo wrote in article "Concealed carry, exotic animal rules":
mandates
“ Switzerland DOES mandate that ALL males serve in the country's militia, then are mandated to keep their government issued weapon... ” Read More...
9/8/2010 4:53:33 PM
Cheryl wrote in article "Fisher blasts Portman":
For any who care...
“ Here is the status of our economy from November 20, 2008 in case any one wants to remember with accuracy, not just "made up stuf... ” Read More...
9/8/2010 3:12:05 PM
Robert C. wrote in article "Fisher blasts Portman":
Wow
“ Jim C, if you think the president doesn't dictate any economic policy and just "signs bills", you should retake Government 101.... ” Read More...
9/8/2010 3:08:40 PM
tim wrote in article "Shooting video released":
shooting
“ To all law enforcement officers-thank you for doing what you do everyday to protect those of us that don't get out there and do... ” Read More...
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News Briefs Woman injured in morning crash
A woman was injured and taken to Blanchard Valley Hospital after a three-vehicle accident about 7:26 a.m. Wednesday at the intersection of Tiffin Avenue and Bright Road, according to the Findlay Police Department.

The hospital released no information on the condition of Ann Shiple, 53, of Findlay.

According to Patrolman "Bud" Haas, Dawn Crafts, 40, of Vanlue, was driving a 2003 Chevrolet Trailblazer east on Tiffin Avenue. Shiple was driving a 2008 Ford Expedition north on Bright Road.

Crafts said she failed to see the traffic signal turn red because the sun was in her eyes. She drove into the intersection and her vehicle hit Shiple's vehicle in the driver door. Shiple's vehicle spun 180 degrees and flipped onto the passenger's side.

Following impact, Crafts' vehicle then "glanced off" a 1999 Chevrolet Tahoe driven by Johnny Louden, 35, of Mount Blanchard. Louden's vehicle had minor damage and was driven away.

Findlay Fire Department personnel had to cut the roof off of Shiple's vehicle to remove her.

Crafts was cited for disobeying a traffic light, Haas said.

Owens College plans 9/11 tribute
Owens Community College's Student Government is inviting students, employees and the public to join them on the Findlay campus to pay tribute to those who lost their lives in the Sept. 11 tragedy nine years ago.

At 9 a.m. Friday, employees and students will gather outside the Education Center at the flagpole to observe a moment of silence in honor of the victims. A video tribute will air throughout the day in the college's Commons area.

Revised zoning code on agenda
A proposed improved version of Findlay's zoning code will be reviewed by the Findlay City Planning Commission at its meeting at 9 a.m. today at City Council Chambers in the Municipal Building.

The plan proposes, among other things, eliminating some zoning districts and recategorizing others to improve flexibility for development while still protecting neighboring property owners.

It also would reorganize and simplify the code book to make it easier for the public to follow.

County purchases truck for landfill
The Hancock County Commissioners have approved the purchase of a 2011 Ford F-250 pickup truck for use at the Hancock County Sanitary Landfill.

The commissioners agreed to purchase the vehicle from Reineke Ford Lincoln Mercury Inc. in Findlay for no more than $23,000.

Meeting planned
The Hancock County Public Defender Commission will meet at 8 a.m. today in the office of Roger Miller, 101 W. Sandusky St.

Village planning hydrant flushing
ARLINGTON -- Fire hydrants will be flushed in Arlington from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Monday, Sept. 20 and Tuesday, Sept. 21.

Bluffton instructor to speak Friday
BLUFFTON -- Cynthia Bandish, associate professor of English at Bluffton University, will present her sabbatical research, "Exploring the Themes of Imprisonment in Gothic Novels," at a Bluffton Colloquium Friday. The event, which is free, will begin at 4 p.m. in Stutzman Lecture Hall in Centennial Hall.

Bandish earned a doctorate with distinction in British literature and history from Drew University in Madison, N.J., as well as a master's degree in English from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Kids program focuses on yoga
Barb Matheny, a certified yoga instructor with "Kids' YogaFit" program training, will lead a Discovery Story at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. Monday, Sept. 13, in the "Doc" Phillips Discovery Center at Oakwoods Nature Preserve, off Hancock County 144. The same program will be offered each time.

The program is designed for 3- to 6-year-old preschoolers with an adult companion.

Besides a nature-related story, yoga poses will be taught to act out the tale. In addition, yoga games will be used to help children with their balance, flexibility, concentration and relaxation.

For additional information, call the Hancock Park District office at 419-425-7275.

Toys from 1930s topic of program
BLUFFTON -- Ron Friesen will present a program of 1930s era toys at the Bluffton Public Library at 7 p.m. on Sept. 20.

Participants are invited to bring favorite toys to share.

Vintage toys will be displayed in the youth services area. The display will remain at the library through September in conjunction with the library's 75th anniversary.

For details, call the library at 419-358-5016.

Meeting changed
RAWSON -- Cory-Rawson school board has rescheduled its regular monthly meeting for 7 p.m. Monday in the community room of Cory-Rawson High School. The meeting had be scheduled for tonight.

Arlington Library plans open house
ARLINGTON -- The Arlington branch of the Findlay-Hancock County Public Library will host an open house from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday.

Visitors can see the renovated branch and its new, enlarged children's department.

Refreshments will be served and balloons for children will be available.

Fell featured at GOP luncheon
University of Findlay President Katherine Fell will speak at the First Friday Luncheon at 11:30 a.m. Friday.

The luncheon will take place at the Elks Lodge, 601 S. Main St.

For reservations, call 419-422-5946 by noon today.

The cost for the buffet is $9.

For more information contact Steve Welton at 419-348-2045 or Dick Larick at 419-422-0499.