Council OKs effort for video bingo vote

HAMMOND -- The City Council, meeting in a special session Monday morning, unanimously approved a petition by a group of residents seeking an election on electronic video bingo within the city limits.

Citizens for a Better Community, who want to ban electronic video bingo, must secure at least 1,604 signatures from registered voters in 60 days to force the council to call an election on electronic video bingo. The council also has the option to simply prohibit electronic bingo on its own.

If the CABC obtains the necessary number of signatures, the council then has 30 days to verify the signatures and decide a course of action.

The city could incur some election costs.

The council voted several years ago to authorize electronic video bingo if it is held in conjunction with sessions of "live bingo."

Two electronic video bingo venues are now in operation and a permit application for approval of a third video bingo parlor, which is planned for a local bowling alley, is pending.

The city and local charities receive portions of the funds earned from electronic bingo.

Rev. Louis Husser, director of the CABC, said that CABC volunteers will meet at 6:30 p.m. today at the Landmark Hotel to organize its campaign to obtain the necessary signatures, which represent 15 percent of the city's registered voters.

Attorney Doug Brown, who represents CABC, told the council that he has obtained voter lists from the Louisiana Secretary of State's Office and that every effort will be made to make verification of the signatures "as easy as possible."

The council also authorized its attorney, Andre Coudrain, to seek an opinion from the state Attorney General's Office about two matters related to the citizens' initiative.

Councilwoman Kathy Montecino asked Coudrain why the council will only have 30 days to verify the signatures while voters are given 60 days to gather the names.

Coudrain said that it is his understanding that these provisions are provided for in the city's charter and have precedent in state statutes.

Councilman Jason Hood asked Brown and Coudrain why the petition has to be approved by the state's Bond Commission.

Brown said that in researching the matter, he learned that all such actions related to municipalities must first be referred to the Bond Commission whether or not financial matters are involved.

After review by the Bond Commission, the matter would be referred to the Secretary of State's Office, he said.

Written by Vic Couvillion

www.2theadvocate.com