Updated: Indeed it is dead for now. The ballot issue is dead. Several on the Council were rightly concerned including candidate for President of the Council Ray Magnus.
Over the weekend, The Lima News became aware of e-mails about the casino exchanged between Law Director Tony Geiger and Councilman Ray Magnus, because Magnus, who initiated the communication, copied the newspaper on them.
Magnus and Geiger would not comment on the e-mails Monday night.
In the first e-mail, Magnus said the same questions raised by a Washington attorney’s review of the agreement are the same issues he raised at recent City Council meetings. Geiger answered him, also copying The Lima News, and said the points concerned technical and legal language. Geiger referred to a secret meeting between Magnus and Casey, which Magnus later denied.
It appears that despite a “mentioned” poll that showed support apparently there is sufficient evidence to put enough pressure on the Mayor that he bailed on the issue so far. But read the article and notice he hasn’t ruled out more talks. The promise of easy money seems to be a real temptation for some.
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It appears that the Mayor has pulled the casino deal with the Indian tribe and doesn’t plan on putting it on November’s ballot. That doesn’t mean its over. Either he has received enough pressure to pull it… he wants to do something without a vote on it…. or he is waiting to let it die down until next year. If we are lucky he will just let it die.
He had held a press conference but a Council City meeting is held tonight. We shall see….
COULD THE RESORT CASINO ISSUE BE DEAD AFTER TONIGHTS LIMA CITY COUNCIL? - 8/20/2007
It has been debated, argued over and divided many in the Lima community but tonight the Resort-Casino issue could come to a screeching halt.The ordinance to place the intergovernmental agreement on the November ballot, which looked like a sure thing a few weeks ago, is being recommended for different this evening by Lima’s Mayor. David Berger says too many important issues remain to try and get this issue on the fall ballot.
Tribe Representative Terry Casey will be in Lima tonight. He says he will thank Mayor Berger, City Council and the community for making the tribe feel welcome. He says he clearly understands there is differing opinion on the Resort-Casino issue. But since it appears this did not work out this go-around, it would be a long shot to ever see a Resort-Casino in Lima.
Council meets at 7 in council chambers at the Lima Municipal Center.
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