The Cabell County Commission voted unanimously Thursday to put the question of casino gambling on the November general election ballot.
Before the vote, commissioners L.D. Egnor and J.R. Blankenship seemed to be leaning towards voting ‘no’ on the issue. Egnor spoke of concerns of a legal challenge to keep the referendum off the ballot, and of the importance of voting unanimously for it.
Blankenship said he was worried about the way the legislation concerning casino gambling was constructed, and hoped it could be addressed by the legislature.
Commissioner Bob Bailey was the only member who left no doubt in anyone’s mind that he would vote for putting it on the ballot to let the people decide.
After some discussion, Egnor again brought up the importance of a unanimous vote and said that if Blankenship would vote for it, then he would also.
“I’m willing to put it on the ballot if you join in, Mr. Blankenship,” said Egnor.
Blankenship again voiced his concern about the way the legislation is written. After more discussion Bailey called for a vote on the question.
“I’m not sure whether you’re voting for it or J.R. or anybody else,” said Bailey, “but I know what my vote is. I’m going to give the people an opportunity to say yes or no.”
Bailey’s remarks seemed to break the impasse, and the commission voted to put it on the ballot.
Egnor gave the audience a chance to give their opinion, and no one spoke against it. Huntington city councilman Tom McCallister told the commission it should go on the ballot to let the people decide. He brought up the past issues of Interstate 64 and the Huntington Mall being built outside the city.
“If the citizens vote it down they can’t come back later and blame us for it,” he said.
Another city councilman, George Malott, pointed out that time was of the essence, especially since the Greenbrier Hotel announced yesterday that they would not seek to locate a casino at their resort.
Vickie Shaffer, general manager of the Transit Authority, pointed out the hand in hand relationship that a casino and Pullman Square could have for the city.
Noting that the law requires a person to be a guest at the hotel in order to use the casino, Shaffer said, “Pullman Square will provide more than one reason to come to Huntington and be a guest at the hotel.”
Frederick Hotel owner John Hankins said the development will cost at least $30 million and could go as high as $50 million. Combined with the Pullman project this could mean up to $100 million in downtown development.