Ala. antigambling chief eyes Greene Co. bingo
Published: February 6, 2010
Updated: February 6, 2010
MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) - The commander of the governor’s
antigambling task force says the dog track in Greene County needs
to shut down its electronic bingo operations, which he describes as
illegal slot machines.
But the sheriff of Greene County warns the task force not to
attempt to shut down Greenetrack.
Mobile District Attorney John Tyson Jr., head of Gov. Bob
Riley’s task force, issued a statement Saturday praising Jefferson
County authorities for getting electronic bingo operations in the
Bessemer Cutoff to close. Tyson said Greenetrack should do the
same.
But Sheriff Ison Thomas sent a letter to Attorney General Troy
King saying Riley has overstepped his authority and violated the
constitution with the appointment of the task force.
The sheriff said he would not allow it to raid legal
businesses.
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Reader Reactions
Does gov riley get kick backs from casinos in Mississippi- I believe he does. Why else would he not want to increase revenue by taxing and regulating charity bingo. Alabama is so backward its not even funny.
THE “COUPONLADY” SAYS:
Al politicians have long enjoyed being “Big Fish,in Little Pond.“
Keeping Alabama’s economy, education & quality of life on the bottom of the nation’s “best place to live,“ makes it less attractive to a modern, progressive, well educated populas. Most of those we have here did not come here willingly, they were transferred in by the companies and corporations that found Al’s low cost of living meant less taxes, more profits. Worst of all, is the use of religion as an excuse to legislate against gambling, liquor,etc. As a person who was raised here and had the fortune in 1973 at 25 years old, via company transfer, to be relocated to Conn. From there I have lived all over the country with no thought of ever landing back in AL and when I did, it was no surprise that the political mind-set has not changed..only the names and faces. It is such a shame as AL could and would have so much to offer, but for the hippocracy that has always been the rule of law in this state.
I personally don’t understand what the big deal with gambling. I honestly think that that the state has bigger, more important issues with which to deal. With the economy in shambles, they should be working on taxing these businesses more, not shutting them down. It seems that if these businesses provide both tax revenue and jobs, the alabama state government would want to keep them running. This task force is a waste of tax payer money. As a state, we are cutting back funds for schools, but we can afford to pay to form such a “task force.“ Governor Riley has bigger issues to that need to be dealt with, amd this task force is a smoke screen to pull attention away from the state’s financial woes. Is Alabama’s unemployment offices prepared to handle such a large influx of people? On a personal note, I have always found it entertaining that the same individuals who complain about the gambling in Alabama are the same people who go to Biloxi every weekend. It is another moral issue that should be left up to the people of Alabama and not our governor. People like Bob Riley really make me wish governors were limited to two terms like the president. I would like to say good job to the sheriff who is making an effort to put these officials in check. Maybe Bob Riley should consider what best benefits his people. I would say that losing jobs would not benefit the people.
It’s time for Alabama citizens to step up to the plate, too long we’ve had corrupt politicians in office, heres the simple fact: Alabamians want to gamble and not sum, most of the state.
The fact is, we’ve got to to something about it, these corrupt politicians are still going to be corrupt unless we do something about it, we as citizens have to do something about it.
al. belongs to the people not bob riley! the news should follow up on why he does not want to better our state an let taxes go to our schools instead of out of our pockets ,could it be miss.could is kicking back to ala? why does he not want our money to stay here? golden moon in miss is going into bankrupcy because our people can play here. Iguess thats to much like right to keep our money here! let the people vote ,if it is going to schools let it be an stop taking us for fools ! people are going to gamble drink etc!i am 64 years old . I lived in california when my kids were young an the horse track paid for schools an highways,they had tv an air back then no school busses , because all the schools were in walking distance. now tell me how far we are in the back woods! wake up an smell the roses! the news should stand behind the people!Not behind one mans opinonabout gambling! Its our state our money let the taxes go to our schools an highways an not miss.an las vegas an atlantic city ,ata fl. on lotterys !stay in ALABAMA. yes this is the bible belt of the south ,but guess what they GAMBLE! The news media should stand by their viewers opinons an insist on letting the state vote on if they want to pay taxes in ala or go to other states an pay taxes on gambling an let them have our money when it could stay here ! what does that say for our govenor? he is opinonated ,an i person , an does not care what we want, he still has his big check every year,an could care less what comes out of ours. He needs to get in the real world , let him live on the outside for minimum wage have 3 kids an see how much fun it it is to survive! Sorry son you can not play foot ball or sorry daughter you cant be a cheeer leader i do not have the money to pay what it cost. you are right mister riley , let the other states have our money instead of ala. you are a great gov!Let their kids have our money an the state of ala .low earning families have nothing. how great thou art have a great nites sleep.I am sure your kids are not doing without !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
It is well known by people in congress and others in Washington, that Mississippi casino money has been buying political favor in Alabama since the mid 1990’s. Journalist investagator Greg Palast brought this to light in a book titled Armed Madhouse. The justice department has elected to overlook this situation over the past 15 years because of church involvement and the election results during the Siegleman admininstration. The mindset of the FEDS was, LEAVE ALABAMA ALONE IF THEY WANT TO BE LEFT BEHIND. YOU CAN’T FIX STUPID!!!! Much money has filtered to many church organizations and PAC’S. There needs to be a reality show including the citizens of Miss., Tenn., Ga., and Fla., to see which state is laughing the loudest at DUMB BUTT ALABAMA!!!! Bob Riley is protecting the money funneled to the churches by hiding behind the law. Only certian churches with political ties and organizations have received money to block these law changes. Those churches who have not received casino money have probably been busy teaching the bible and saving souls. IT IS TIME THE CITIZENS OF ALABAMA BECAME PROACTIVE AND PRACTICED SOME GOOD OLE 1960’S CIVIL RIGHTS TACTICS AND HAD A MEETING IN MONTGOMERY. HOW MUCH LONGER CAN WE CONTINUE TO LET OUR STATE LOSE MONEY, JOBS, EDUCATION, INFASTRUCTURE, REPUTATION AND GROWTH.
I hope Mr. Tyson isn’t running for political office anytime soon..He will be wasting his money…This will shadow everything else going on in the state..I guess I neeed to research the task force angle…Why is the taskforce illegal?
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