Toledo council hashes out casinos

DOWNTOWN TOLEDO - Both sides of the casino debate made one final pitch to the Toledo City Council Thursday night. Residents made sure to weigh in as well.

City council members usually come up with some kind of resolution before an election either supporting or rejecting an issue on the ballot. That is the only thing the council could do. Even without a whole lot of say, plenty of people wanted the council to know what they think. 

The debate for many frames up like this: Will casinos bring jobs, revenue and life back to a part of Toledo? Or will they bring crime, the end to local/family owned businesses and gambling addictions?

"When you are seriously considering your vote, I want you to bear in mind what it may mean to the person who is barely holding on right now," said Toledo resident Deb Angel.

"This is an absolute no brainier, I don't even know why we're discussing this. We talk about jobs, jobs, jobs, we have an opportunity and we're discussing it some more," said Toledo bar owner Bill Delaney.

Some in the tourism business like the potential boost to hotels.

"I also suggest to you that there are 19,000 full time employees that are desperately impacted by your decisions council people. We really need to put a transfusion and answer to our hemorrhage in the hotel situation," said Dave Nolan with the Convention and Visitor's Bureau.

While some religious leaders worry about gambling's potential moral impact.

"It has to do with our understanding of what happen when casinos come into communities and the b-line made from those casinos to our Churches to pick up the lives of broken people," said Larry Clark with the First United Methodist Church.

Councilwoman Lindsay Webb suggested putting forth a resolution supporting the casinos, issue #3 on your ballot. That will probably come up in the next few weeks. It's not entirely clear tonight how many council members would support it.