Ghiz: Don't sign those petitions!

City councilwoman Leslie Ghiz, who wanted a slots parlor at Broadway Commons, is "Angry Ghiz," according to her three-exclamation point press release:


ANGRY GHIZ SAYS DO NOT SIGN GAMBLING PETITIONS!

Southwest Ohio must NOT sign petitions!

Councilmember Leslie Ghiz adamantly supports legalized casino gambling in Ohio, but only if Cincinnati is included in that initiative. Queen City Gaming and Entertainment, the organization fighting to keep Cincinnati included, has withdrawn their ballot initiative because of continuing legal pressure from the Learn and Earn group in northern Ohio and the owners of the Argosy casino in Indiana.

"If you sign a petition to legalize gambling in Ohio, it means everywhere in Ohio but Cincinnati" said Ghiz.

"DO NOT SIGN A PETITION TO LEGALIZE GAMBLING IN OHIO," urged Ghiz!

Council passed a resolution in May stating their support of a Casino at the Broadway Commons location in downtown Cincinnati. Since then the Hamilton County Sheriff Simon Leis and the FOP have come out in support of this initiative.

"We have the support locally, unfortunately the Learn and Earn group and the owners of the Argosy casino are doing everything they can to stop the Cincinnati initiative," said Ghiz. A slot parlor in Cincinnati would generate an estimated 22 million dollars in tax revenue for the City of Cincinnati, plus an additional 18 million dollars for Hamilton County. Ghiz said, "Southwest Ohio cannot afford to let this opportunity pass us by, we must work to oppose the Learn and Earn gambling initiative."


Ghiz noted that although the issue is dead for now that doesn't mean that Queen City Gaming and Entertainment can't try again in a future election. Provided the current amendment does not make it on the ballot and or does not pass, Queen City Gaming and Entertainment can organize again and re-institute their initiative that includes Cincinnati after the November election.