Seems like everybody gets to decide about gambling in Clay County, except the folks who live in Clay County.

Up until last year, the decision about things like adding poker rooms or slot machines at the Orange Park Kennel Club rested with the Board of County Commissioners, the elected representatives of all Clay County residents.  Ah, for those good ol' days.

First, a little Tallahassee tango fixed it so the decision on poker rooms was switched from the BCC to the Orange Park Town Council, which decided potential tax revenue outweighed all those pesky quality of life questions.  It's a case of officials who don't seem to grasp that "just because we can doesn't mean we should."

Now apparently the gambling lobby isn't even sure it can ram slot machines down the throats of local representatives, so there's a move to let that decision be made right in the chambers of the state capitol, among those more surely purchased politicians.  It's called SB 1380 and, if it becomes law, every single racetrack in the state will be allowed to install slot machines and bringing more and more gamblers to the intersection of US 17 and Wells Road.  Here's a link to a story with more details: http://www.floridatoday.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080314/BUSINESS/803140334 [1]

A year ago, the law reflected the fact that OPKC gambling is, in reality, a Clay County issue, not something whose effects begin and end with the Orange Park Town Limits.  In a brief time, as compared to the often sloth-like pace of government, special interests got their way with poker and have taken that giant step toward slot machines.

Let Clay County decide what Clay County wants.  It's time Tallahassee stop gambling with our quality of life.

Michael S. Mann

michaelsmann@comcast.net [2]