Officials say 'no' to poker at greyhound track

In a three of a kind vote before a full house, Escambia County Commissioners killed a measure Thursday that would have allowed poker cardrooms at the Pensacola Greyhound Track.

Commissioners Gene Valentino and Grover C. Robinson IV supported it, while Marie Young, Kevin White and Wilson Robertson were opposed.

Dog track assistant general manager Rudy Wilson said the measure would have created 150 new jobs and saved existing jobs in jeopardy of being lost.

"I am not much of a gambler. I may never enter into this cardroom, but in the time we are in right now ... I would love to see 150 people off of the unemployment roles," said track supporter Kelley Thompson.

A group of at least 30 people wore T-shirts reading, "I support poker at Pensacola Greyhound Track." Celebrity boxer Roy Jones Jr. even appeared with them to show support.

"We need poker tables here in Pensacola because jobs and the economy are going under and we have an opportunity to correct this," said Gerald Alcott, 35, who has worked at the track since he was 16.

Jonathan R. Moseley, who got emotional during his statement, said he was torn on the issue but ultimately opposed.

"I believe gambling is a moral issue and it is debasing to mankind, and causes unwanted things, but I also support our own," Moseley said. "I am asking you to vote based on your moral conscience."

Young said she was against it because of constituent calls, such as one she received from a lady who said her home was being foreclosed because of her husband's gambling problem.

Valentino, who originally brought up the issue in February 2007 to a failing vote, said "I consider myself a moral, spiritual person, but this has nothing to do with that. I have a responsibility to you the citizens. Are they the best kind of jobs? Probably not, but we need jobs."

Robertson said he opposed it because he thought it represented the majority of his constituents feelings on the issue.

After the vote, proponents of the poker tables hurled comments at the commissioners like, "at least you all have a job," and "I hope you can sleep at night," and some cried afterwards while standing outside talking about the potential loss of their jobs.

Alcott, the director of racing and presiding judge at the track, said the track is currently closed Nov. 16 through Jan. 16 because of the economy, which temporarily laid off about 100 employees. They will be back to work Jan. 16, but the track may not survive in this economy without a poker room, Alcott said.

The Florida Legislature created the law several years ago that allows cardroom gaming at parimutuel gaming facilities — greyhound tracks, thoroughbred tracks, jai-alai frontons and harness tracks — but it must be approved by individual counties for it to take effect.
pnj.com

News Added: 12 December, 2008

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