SEARCH NEWS:

 

Casino Referendum to be Saskatoon Election Issue

“Only Coun. Peter McCann did not support the referendum date. Mayor Jim Maddin didn't cast a vote, since it was not needed.

“A deafening cheer roared through council chambers when the decision was made, minutes after the start of the meeting. Coun. Glen Penner had moved a resolution that the vote take place immediately, pleasing the hundreds of people crammed into chambers and the foyer of City Hall.

“…CAGES and Citizens for a Quality Saskatoon (CFQS) forced the referendum by gathering 28,340 signatures after council voted 6-5 in December against voluntarily holding one. As many as 57 people had been scheduled to speak to council on the issue. But after the decision, no one stayed around to address council.

“Although many people expressed opposition to a casino, council was prepared to consider an earlier vote.

“…The exact wording of the plebiscite was still to be discussed at press time.

“…The cost of having the vote in conjunction with the civic election is $5,000 -- the additional cost of printing separate ballots. To hold it any other day would have required a minimum cost of $100,000 (for staffing, printing ballots, tabulating votes and advertising). As the petition was received before July 1 in an election year, council legally had until Dec. 31 to hold the referendum…”

< Gaming News