Democratic senators have opportunity with slots issue

Democratic senators haveopportunity with slots issue
EDITOR:
The Ohio Senate is once more trying to pacify the Ohio horse racetracks by coming up with another wrinkle to hang their hat on to allow slot machines at these tracks to stimulate attendance and parimutuel activity and save the Ohio racing industry. This time it is to give the revenue raised by the slots to Ohio colleges for awarding scholarships to certain scholars.
Sen. Kevin Coughlin from Akron, a Republican is introducing the legislation in the Senate. He said he needs the Democratic senators votes to pass the legislation in the Senate. There are 22 Republican senators and 11 Democratic senators in the Ohio Senate. It appears that the supporting Republican votes are equal to those opposed, so it is going to take majority support by the Democratic senators to pass the proposed legislation.
Here is a great opportunity for our local senators, Bob Hagan and Marc Dann, to form a coalition among the Democratic senators to ask the Republican Senate slot-issue supporters to allow an off-track betting establishment with slot machines in Youngstown. This would be in addition to the seven horse racetracks having slot machines.
Two racetracks in Ohio are located in Cleveland, two in Columbus, two in Cincinnati and one in Toledo.
The Ohio House has already passed legislation to allow slots at these seven horse racetracks. They would also have to alter their legislation to allow the off-track betting establishment in Youngstown.
Whatever reason the General Assembly comes up with to get a slots issue passed to allow slots at racetracks, Youngstown has to be a part of it. Eventually the slots issue at Ohio racetracks will be introduced and passed. We don't have a racetrack in Youngstown, so we have to be a part of the initiative with an off-track betting establishment. If we are not a part of the initiative from the get-go, we never will be, and Youngstown needs economic growth and development help more than any city in Ohio.
I would much rather have several full-blown Las Vegas-style casinos throughout Ohio, which would include Youngstown, and would be much, much more effective, however, the above looks like an opportunity that is available today. I would rather see the Valley get a piece of the pie now. Eventually, these racetracks with slots will become full-blown casinos anyhow.
PATRICK MACKONDY
Youngstown
Ditch work was swell
EDITOR:
We would like to take this time to commend the Milton Township road supervisor and his one-man crew for their prompt service in putting in our ditch in front of our home. After all the rain lately, everything is flowing great. Thanks to their hard work and commitment, sometimes not recognized by the community. Anyone driving through Milton Township will see cut grass, clean ditches and high weeds along the streets cut like the pride of a landscaper.
Mr. and Mrs. DEAN FIGINSKY
Lake Milton
No stoning in U.S.; here the courts add insult to injury
EDITOR:
In regard to an article in The Vindicator, Sept. 27, "Death by stoning remains barbaric reality in Nigeria."
When a woman in Nigeria is caught in the act of adultery, she is tried and if convicted, she is then stoned to death. This may sound pretty barbaric to most. But talk to a man in the United States who has been through it. When he catches his wife in the act of adultery, no matter how much proof he has, the court takes him to the cleaners. The court gives the adulterous wife the car, the house, the furniture, the kids and his pension he worked half his life for.
Go ahead, ask a man who's been through it. To him, stoning the woman to death doesn't sound so bad.
To you women in Nigeria, if you must cheat on your husbands and you happen to get caught, have your attorneys ask the court for a change of venue to Ohio. Here you'll be rewarded for your unfaithful act.
BUTCH BAKER
Struthers