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FacebookISSUE 6
Clinton County assesses a bleak future after casino issue loses
With the impending loss of DHL and no casino in its future, officials must cut budget from $14.5 million to $12.3 million
Thursday, November 06, 2008
WILMINGTON — On Election Day, Clinton County officials had hopes the county budget could be more than doubled from taxes generated by a proposed $600 million gambling casino. Just 24 hours later, after Ohio voters soundly defeated Issue 6, they met to begin deciding how to cut the budget back to 2005 levels.
For many in a town already in a downward economic spiral with the planned closing of the DHL air cargo facility and the idling of its 8,000 workers, the failure of a constitutional amendment which would have allowed construction of a casino in Chester Twp. at Ohio 73 and Interstate 71 added insult to injury.
Developers of the proposed casino pledged to use 2,600 construction workers and some 5,000 full-time, permanent employees. The Ohio Department of Taxation said the casino would have generated more than $200 million in gaming taxes, of which Clinton County would have received more than 10 percent, or more than $20 million.
Instead, the county commission needs to cut the 2008 budget of $14.5 million to about $12.3 million, Commissioner Randy Riley said Wednesday, Nov. 5. "That doesn't happen without a lot of anguish," he said, "and there's a lot of anguish in the community."
Sales tax receipts are already down, he said. "When DHL made its (closing) announcement May 28, people literally stopped buying stuff." While tax revenues are down, Riley noted, demand for public services is up amid the economic downturn. "It's almost like getting a double hit."
The Wilmington/Clinton County Chamber of Commerce didn't take a position on the casino, but President Karen M. Haley said, "It might have been the right boost — I don't know. I don't believe anybody from the chamber thought it was a silver bullet, (but) it had some positives."
Not everyone in Wilmington is mourning the casino plan. Issue 6, which failed statewide, 63 to 37 percent, passed in Clinton County by a final, unofficial vote of 10,547 to 8,168.
"It really was divisive in our town. I'm glad it's over," said the Rev. Kelly McInerney, a leader of a local anti-casino campaign. He said he feels the community would have voted against Issue 6 "had there not been a DHL story here in Clinton County."
"I think Clinton County is in for a rough spell" in the near term, he said, but it will bounce back in time.
Wilmington Mayor David Raizk said he's hopeful the community can get control of the DHL air park through one of its quasi-governmental arms so the large airport can be redeveloped. DHL is to make an announcement about the local facility on Nov. 10.
Raizk said he "didn't see that there was a harmful aspect" to the casino plan and would have liked to see the additional jobs and tax revenue, but "the voters have had their say and we'll move on from here."
"We're a good, strong community," Raizk said. "We've got great people here and we're going to pull together and have a bright future."
Contact this reporter at (937) 225-2264 or tbeyerlein@DaytonDailyNews.com.
Comments
By orvabeckn
May 6, 2009 11:02 PM | Link to this
stories referred sulfate 2050 cannot majority china
By USAFDADDY
November 9, 2008 3:03 AM | Link to this
Not just the far right religeous conservatives voted against the casinos: many Ohio citizens ralized that building this casino would effect Caesar Creek & Cowan Lake. Traffic and camping would be neg. effected by adding 100’s of others who would use these parks for inexpensive stays while going to the casino and preventing many of Ohio citizens from enjoying these facilities. The OH State Park system budget is stretched to the limit without adding new burdens.
By VietVet
November 6, 2008 3:31 PM | Link to this
crime wasn’t any higher than city’s without casinos, there were no abnormal amounts of backruptcies, divorces weren’t any higher than a normal metropolitan area and all the negatives that the church folks were spouting didn’t exist. It is a crock people. You are being led around by the nose by these “do-gooders” posing as people who think they know what’s best for you. Don’t believe them.They are just out to deny you your lifestyle choices. Vote yes next time-if there is a “next time”
By VietVet
November 6, 2008 3:25 PM | Link to this
The casino issue failed because we have narrow minded, ultra right wing conservative fanatical religious people that we are allowing to control our choices in this state while Indiana, West Virginia, and Kentucky benefit from Ohiaoans going to their state to enjoy themselves. We have backwater hicks runnign this state that are anti growth, anti-progressive type people who will continue to lead us back in time. We just returned from living in Tucson AZ with three casinos. Taxes were low, (cont)
By hairy hole
November 6, 2008 2:46 PM | Link to this
If native americans were to build casiono`s they could be tax exempt. Native americans are not required to pay any taxes. I worked in colorado building a coal gasaification plant. About 1/2 were native and others were white-black-asians. What ever the indians grossed on their check was what they took home. They had the option to pay taxes which would give they a chance to get social security when they retired. No tax no social, that simple. To me the guy from lousy ann was a crook and very shady
By jag
November 6, 2008 1:30 PM | Link to this
I am a Christian, therefore I vote “NO” on any gambling proposal. I am amazed that the personalities I listen to on AM have gone as far as to call Ohioans “Idiot Voters” for not passing Issue #6. Even if gambling was morally acceptable to me, is it really a wise choice to replace REAL DHL Jobs with? Reno and Vegas have recently been turning people away for Casino Employment due to low attendance, typically blamed on the economy…
By There's that "spread the wealth thinking"--->hakko936@htmail.com
November 6, 2008 11:01 AM | Link to this
WOW. You flamming liberal!
By OHIO the GREAT LANDFILL for the rest of the USA!
November 6, 2008 10:57 AM | Link to this
I agree. Ohio should explore more landfill options, you’re a HOLE anyway!
By Liberal---->candyschaoticlife@rock.com
November 6, 2008 10:56 AM | Link to this
Tell me, will you still have that answer after you lose your job in the coming weeks? Get a clue!
By hakko936
November 6, 2008 10:56 AM | Link to this
Voted “no” because it only allowed one business. How about this? Amendment to divide state into 5 areas. NW, NE, SW, SE, and Central. Establish gaming commission and tax all equally. One casino license for each area to be awarded via sealed bid. Company can bid on one or all license but each license independently awarded. License good for 15 years unless revoked by gaming comm. License awarded by sealed bid after revocation or 15 years. Current operator has first right of refusal.
By CM
November 6, 2008 10:47 AM | Link to this
I would have possibly considered voting yes if such an undesirable character was not involved and if they did not ask to be allowed to monopolize the entire state.
By flybenji
November 6, 2008 10:46 AM | Link to this
Can that land get zoned for a landfill?
By Hey Bob the Builder! You're stupid!
November 6, 2008 10:21 AM | Link to this
Thats already been tried, but it failed! Get a clue before you come out here a puke all over the place!
By Bob
November 6, 2008 10:18 AM | Link to this
If this were an initiative to for a gaming commission in Ohio I would have voted yes but to give gaming rights for the entire state to one private entity is insane.
By Anyone see the map of Ohio on voting?
November 6, 2008 10:17 AM | Link to this
Why is it that all the Blue areas in Ohio are the areas where all the blacks live?
By Clinton County
November 6, 2008 10:17 AM | Link to this
Thanks DDN for siding for jobs for Indiana -Casino’s have shown in Indiana to be good for people living there. Yet DDN side with Argosy. Thats what i wouls expect from a DAYTON newspaper that is not in DAYTON. No logic
By NoWay
November 6, 2008 10:11 AM | Link to this
A Constitutional amendment for one developer to construct/operate one particular casino … what a crazy idea. An amendment to allow casinos anywhere in the state has a much better chance of passing.
By AKA why you suck--->calvin-lee@sbcglobal.net
November 6, 2008 10:10 AM | Link to this
I rest my case!
By Ohio you're stupid!
November 6, 2008 10:08 AM | Link to this
You vote in Osama who’s your mama Barack and vote down the casino! Stupid a@@es. You will now fall back to the 18 century livestyle. What a crap hole you are!
By Ray
November 6, 2008 10:08 AM | Link to this
It failed because Argosy Casino spent a lot of money to keep the casino out of Ohio for their benefit. Plus to many high up people didn’t want it. Just when we need jobs and money, the rich knocked it down. There wasn’t any loop holes but Argosy made everyone believe there was. Too bad for Ohio
By Marsha
November 6, 2008 10:04 AM | Link to this
When they put casinos on the ballot that are for STATE WIDE casinos then I will vote for it. I also want to know what Butler County would do with the money they recieve for the casino taxes, then I will vote for it.