Democratic Party is bigger than one man

Democratic Party is bigger than one man

EDITOR:

Recently a news article appeared claiming that an injunction was sought to prevent a group from a Ohio pro-gambling from circulating petitions “on a request by the county Democratic party.” I would like to point out that as a member of the party’s central committee that we never initiated such a request. This was a position taken by the party chair Atty. David Betras. Fresh from his election as party chair, he stated to the South County Democrats that he intended to oppose the gambling initiative. He stated that he had contacted Republican party chairman Clarence Smith about having a joint news conference to show unity. Betras appeared at a news conference with assistant Republican chair Mark Munroe to state their opposition to the gambling initiative. Their opposition was based on the fact that the Mahoning Valley would not get a casino. The injunction was sought based upon misleading statements by the circulators. The problem is that the party never voted to take a position on the casino bill. The executive committee of the party, all of whom are appointed by the chairman, met well after the chairman had stated his opposition to the initiative at the South County meeting. It is my understanding that the executive committee voted to oppose the gambling initiative. It should be noted that the Democratic Party never met to vote on any request.

I am personally opposed to this initiative as it is written, yet we cannot be so parochial as to not realize that gambling would be statewide. Money that casinos would generate would be spread throughout the state to the counties, and jobs would be provided to Ohioans. If you want gambling, contact your state representatives and senators and ask them to initiate an amendment that would be fair and open.

I think that the Democratic party should be worried about issues that matter to Mahoning County residents such as affordable health care for the thousands of valley residents who do not have any. This is a cause that will be taken up this summer by Congress and that we should spend resources on. If it is the chairman’s cause to take on these gambling interests, so be it. Just do not allow it to be in the name of the Mahoning County Democratic Party.

TOM LAMB

Youngstown

X The writer is assistant district leader in Boardman of the Mahoning County Democratic Party and secretary of the South County Democrats.