Green residents speak against ‘racino’
4/12/2012 - South Side Leader
By Emily Chesnic
Horse racing/video slot gaming venue on CAK property just in idea stage
GREEN — About 40 residents attended the April 10 Green City Council meeting to voice their opposition to a possible gambling facility being constructed in Green.
Mayor Dick Norton did not throw his support behind bringing a gaming establishment to town, but did caution Council that such a project should be given careful consideration, if and when it is officially proposed. He said the city has not heard anything in months concerning a possible “racino,” a gambling and entertainment venue that combines horse racing and video slot gaming.
Norton said he and Green Planning and Development Director Wayne Wiethe have not received any plans for a racino.
“We thought it was a dead issue,” said Norton.
The mayor confirmed Rock Ohio Caesars, controllers of the Thistledown Racetrack in North Randall and owners of Horseshoe Casino Cleveland, which is expected to open soon, expressed interest this past fall in relocating Thistledown to 80 acres of land owned by the Akron-Canton Airport (CAK) on Greensburg Road.
Constructing a gambling establishment near the airport was “not on the radar” for city administration, Norton said. He added the possibility of a proposal is exciting, however. Norton said the scope of the project would include a track for thoroughbred horse racing; stables to accommodate horses; a parking deck to accommodate vehicles and tour buses; and a building to house slots and gaming. The mayor believes a racino could positively impact the city financially.
Regardless of the revenue a racino could generate and the number of jobs it could create, Councilman John “Skip” Summerville (Ward 4) said he is against a horse track and casino in Green.
“I don’t believe the upside would outweigh the downside,” he said.
Resident Pat Carleski also spoke out against the project during the regular meeting.
“I would just like to say no, no way. No horse racing. No gaming. I want a family-friendly community,” she said. “There are so many other things that could be done with the land.”
Councilman Dave France (Ward 2) said he ran for Council four times on the platform of further developing the land surrounding the airport. He is proud of the growing industrial park by the airport and the new roadway that soon will be constructed onsite. France said he would like to continue to attract commercial business to that area. A racino was never something that came to mind, he added.
“When a proposal comes before us, we have to sit down and listen,” France said. “It is not something I think I would support at this point, though.”
Council members wanted the public to know they had no knowledge of the project before last week, when rumors started circulating that a racino was coming to Green.
During the Planning, Community and Economic Development Committee meeting, held prior to the regular meeting, Norton explained to Council how the project came to him.
He said the city was approached by representatives of CAK in early fall asking them to meet with Cleveland Cavaliers President Len Komoroski and Horseshoe Casino General Manager Marcus Glover, who represent Rock Ohio, owned by Cleveland Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert.
“The meeting was educational, and I had not heard the term racino until they defined it for us,” the mayor said.
Norton said he and Wiethe then visited Harrah’s Chester, a racino near Philadelphia, to view the horse track and casino firsthand and learn how such a facility would impact Green. According to the mayor, he was impressed with the establishment, especially the professional-looking clientele it attracted and the absence of crime surrounding it.
The mayor said the Airport Authority entered into a draft lease agreement in late fall with Ohio Rock, in case Green was chosen for the project.
“After that, it went silent, and we have not heard anything from them,” he said. “There is no application on the table.”
Norton said Ohio Rock officials told him months ago they also were considering other locations for a racino.
Even though there is no activity or correspondence currently going on concerning the project, Norton said gossip began circulating last week, so the city and airport were released from a confidentiality agreement signed at the first meeting with Ohio Rock.
Councilman Chris Humphrey (at large) hopes representatives of Rock Ohio will not renew their interest in Green.
“I would be shocked if people want this,” he said. “It would be bad for our city. Just because it is legal doesn’t mean it is right or appropriate for our community.”
Humphrey wants representatives of Rock Ohio to know he and other Council members already have heard from numerous residents who are against having a gambling establishment in Green.
“I am well aware of the sensitivity the whole state of Ohio has toward gambling,” Norton said. “We have more people in the city than just those who are opposed to gambling, however.”
If a proposal came through, Norton said residents and business owners would be polled to see if the majority of people are for or against the project.
“If they do come back to us, there would be plenty of chances for public input,” he said.
According to the mayor, the city would be able to see exactly what Ohio Rock wants to construct and collectively make the right decision, not only for the city, but the entire region. He explained if a proposal is received, it would have to go through the Planning and Zoning Commission and the Design Review Board before it would be voted on by Council.
Green resident Des Wertheimer said it is important for the community to speak out against the racino each step of the way.
“Make sure there is no chance for this to come,” he said during the regular meeting. “This is a horrible idea.”
Wertheimer is organizing a concerned citizens group and would like anyone who opposes a racino in Green to join. Those interested in being part of the group should contact him at 330-328-5944.
In other business, Council established pay rates for part-time positions in the fire department. According to the approved legislation, part-time firefighters/EMTs would be paid $16 an hour; part-time firemedics $18 an hour; a part-time fire safety inspector $16 an hour; a part-time lieutenant $20 an hour; and a part-time captain $22 an hour.
Council President Joel Reed (at large) said the legislation gives the fire department the flexibility to hire part-time personnel to cut down on the expense of overtime. He added the part-time positions are in addition to the current full-time positions. No jobs would be lost, Reed said.
City Council’s next regular meeting is set for April 24 beginning at 5 p.m. for committee meetings and continuing at 7 p.m. for the Council meeting, in Council Chambers at the Central Administration Building, 1755 Town Park Blvd.
4/12/2012 - South Side Leader
By Emily Chesnic
Horse racing/video slot gaming venue on CAK property just in idea stage
GREEN — About 40 residents attended the April 10 Green City Council meeting to voice their opposition to a possible gambling facility being constructed in Green.
Mayor Dick Norton did not throw his support behind bringing a gaming establishment to town, but did caution Council that such a project should be given careful consideration, if and when it is officially proposed. He said the city has not heard anything in months concerning a possible “racino,” a gambling and entertainment venue that combines horse racing and video slot gaming.
Norton said he and Green Planning and Development Director Wayne Wiethe have not received any plans for a racino.
“We thought it was a dead issue,” said Norton.
The mayor confirmed Rock Ohio Caesars, controllers of the Thistledown Racetrack in North Randall and owners of Horseshoe Casino Cleveland, which is expected to open soon, expressed interest this past fall in relocating Thistledown to 80 acres of land owned by the Akron-Canton Airport (CAK) on Greensburg Road.
Constructing a gambling establishment near the airport was “not on the radar” for city administration, Norton said. He added the possibility of a proposal is exciting, however. Norton said the scope of the project would include a track for thoroughbred horse racing; stables to accommodate horses; a parking deck to accommodate vehicles and tour buses; and a building to house slots and gaming. The mayor believes a racino could positively impact the city financially.
Regardless of the revenue a racino could generate and the number of jobs it could create, Councilman John “Skip” Summerville (Ward 4) said he is against a horse track and casino in Green.
“I don’t believe the upside would outweigh the downside,” he said.
Resident Pat Carleski also spoke out against the project during the regular meeting.
“I would just like to say no, no way. No horse racing. No gaming. I want a family-friendly community,” she said. “There are so many other things that could be done with the land.”
Councilman Dave France (Ward 2) said he ran for Council four times on the platform of further developing the land surrounding the airport. He is proud of the growing industrial park by the airport and the new roadway that soon will be constructed onsite. France said he would like to continue to attract commercial business to that area. A racino was never something that came to mind, he added.
“When a proposal comes before us, we have to sit down and listen,” France said. “It is not something I think I would support at this point, though.”
Council members wanted the public to know they had no knowledge of the project before last week, when rumors started circulating that a racino was coming to Green.
During the Planning, Community and Economic Development Committee meeting, held prior to the regular meeting, Norton explained to Council how the project came to him.
He said the city was approached by representatives of CAK in early fall asking them to meet with Cleveland Cavaliers President Len Komoroski and Horseshoe Casino General Manager Marcus Glover, who represent Rock Ohio, owned by Cleveland Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert.
“The meeting was educational, and I had not heard the term racino until they defined it for us,” the mayor said.
Norton said he and Wiethe then visited Harrah’s Chester, a racino near Philadelphia, to view the horse track and casino firsthand and learn how such a facility would impact Green. According to the mayor, he was impressed with the establishment, especially the professional-looking clientele it attracted and the absence of crime surrounding it.
The mayor said the Airport Authority entered into a draft lease agreement in late fall with Ohio Rock, in case Green was chosen for the project.
“After that, it went silent, and we have not heard anything from them,” he said. “There is no application on the table.”
Norton said Ohio Rock officials told him months ago they also were considering other locations for a racino.
Even though there is no activity or correspondence currently going on concerning the project, Norton said gossip began circulating last week, so the city and airport were released from a confidentiality agreement signed at the first meeting with Ohio Rock.
Councilman Chris Humphrey (at large) hopes representatives of Rock Ohio will not renew their interest in Green.
“I would be shocked if people want this,” he said. “It would be bad for our city. Just because it is legal doesn’t mean it is right or appropriate for our community.”
Humphrey wants representatives of Rock Ohio to know he and other Council members already have heard from numerous residents who are against having a gambling establishment in Green.
“I am well aware of the sensitivity the whole state of Ohio has toward gambling,” Norton said. “We have more people in the city than just those who are opposed to gambling, however.”
If a proposal came through, Norton said residents and business owners would be polled to see if the majority of people are for or against the project.
“If they do come back to us, there would be plenty of chances for public input,” he said.
According to the mayor, the city would be able to see exactly what Ohio Rock wants to construct and collectively make the right decision, not only for the city, but the entire region. He explained if a proposal is received, it would have to go through the Planning and Zoning Commission and the Design Review Board before it would be voted on by Council.
Green resident Des Wertheimer said it is important for the community to speak out against the racino each step of the way.
“Make sure there is no chance for this to come,” he said during the regular meeting. “This is a horrible idea.”
Wertheimer is organizing a concerned citizens group and would like anyone who opposes a racino in Green to join. Those interested in being part of the group should contact him at 330-328-5944.
In other business, Council established pay rates for part-time positions in the fire department. According to the approved legislation, part-time firefighters/EMTs would be paid $16 an hour; part-time firemedics $18 an hour; a part-time fire safety inspector $16 an hour; a part-time lieutenant $20 an hour; and a part-time captain $22 an hour.
Council President Joel Reed (at large) said the legislation gives the fire department the flexibility to hire part-time personnel to cut down on the expense of overtime. He added the part-time positions are in addition to the current full-time positions. No jobs would be lost, Reed said.
City Council’s next regular meeting is set for April 24 beginning at 5 p.m. for committee meetings and continuing at 7 p.m. for the Council meeting, in Council Chambers at the Central Administration Building, 1755 Town Park Blvd.
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