Livingston council rejects video bingo

• By BOB ANDERSON
• Advocate Florida parishes bureau
• Published: Jul 11, 2008 - Page: 1B - UPDATED: 12:05 a.m.

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LIVINGSTON — Video bingo will remain illegal in unincorporated areas of Livingston Parish.

Faced with heavy opposition from gambling foes, Livingston Parish Council members remained mum Thursday night when the council chairman asked for a motion on an ordinance that would have legalized video bingo halls and required them to give part of their profits to parish government and participating charities.

Some council members had seen video bingo revenue as a way of financing the parish’s animal shelter, which is nearly complete, but lacks a long-term revenue source for its operation.

Last month, the council voted to introduce an ordinance legalizing video bingo and set a public hearing on the matter for Thursday night, when it found itself facing a packed meeting hall.

Though several people spoke in favor of video bingo and the funds it would provide for charities and for operations of the animal shelter, the audience was heavily weighted against the proposal.

“It will ruin a family,” said Ann Deshotel. “You have to realize the consequences of putting gambling in front of somebody who has an addictive nature.”

“Nobody drags people in” to video bingo halls, said Jennifer Jenkins. “The money for the shelter is needed.”

“You do not need video bingo to fund animal control,” said Henry Harris, who added that property tax revenues are going way up this year.

“It’s just smoke,” Henry Harris said.

Councilman Marshall Harris said that while tax assessments may rise, the Parish Council gets only a small portion of that money, most of which goes to operate other agencies.

“I do know the budget constraints that you have,” said former Councilman Stan Cain, speaking from the audience. “I also know the need for animal control.”

Cain said, however, he is proud of all the progress the parish has made in recent years and that it has achieved that progress “without video bingo.”

Video bingo might help some charities, but “how many old ladies have lost their cars” to benefit those organizations, asked Johnny Bell.