YOUNGSTOWN Backer: Casino's chances are slim

The governor will not support a gambling casino without a vote of the people.
By DAVID SKOLNICK
VINDICATOR POLITICS WRITER
YOUNGSTOWN -- The head of an organization wanting to place an Indian casino in Youngstown says the chances of it happening are slim.
Patrick Mackondy, coordinator for the Casino for Youngstown Committee, says his group has taken the proposal as far as it possibly could and for it to move any further, the Valley's state Legislature representatives have to take over.
Mackondy suggests local legislators persuade the General Assembly to pass special legislation to allow a vote in Mahoning, Trumbull and Columbiana counties to permit a casino to be built in downtown Youngstown. But no local legislator has expressed interest in sponsoring that legislation.
"If the vote on the issue could take place in Mahoning, Trumbull and Columbiana counties only, based on previous polls, passage of the issue would be likely," Mackondy said.
"If the vote on the issue has to be a statewide vote, based on statewide opinion, it has a 50-50 chance," he added.
Placing the issue on the statewide ballot for the November general election does not appear to be a likely option, Mackondy said.
What's required: The group would need 400,000 signatures from residents of at least half of the state's 88 counties and it would cost several million dollars to advertise and promote the issue, Mackondy said.
A statewide issue is the only option left for the casino's supporters because Gov. Bob Taft refuses to enter into a compact with an Indian tribe to locate a gambling casino in the state unless it is approved by a statewide referendum.
"Gov. Bob Taft is opposed to casino gambling in Ohio," wrote Carrie E. Glaeden, Taft's deputy chief legal counsel in a letter to Mackondy. "Although he is understanding of the economic situation in [the] Mahoning Valley and wants to explore ways to improve it, he does not feel that an Indian casino is the solution."
The benefit of a casino would be significant for the Valley and the entire state, Mackondy said. The casino would generate millions of dollars annually and employ thousands of people, he said.
Opponent: Although the casino group says its chances of opening a facility are slim, an opponent organization is taking the efforts seriously.
The Ohio Roundtable, which helped lead the successful campaigns in 1990 and 1996 against casino gambling in the state, sent letters to members of the state Legislature "warning of the imminent danger of tribal gambling casinos."
The Roundtable has also led campaigns for term limits, campaign finance reform, voter registration and nonpartisan voter information over the past 22 years.
skolnick@vindy.com