CJ Council considers social gaming
From our weekly issue dated December 16, 2009
Cave Junction City Recorder Jim Polk (right) presented information about state statutes and similar ordinances in other Oregon cities. (Photo by Michelle BInker, Illinois Valley News)
Should Cave Junction councilors pass an ordinance to allow social gaming within city limits?
That question was posed to members of the city council during its half-hour long Monday night, Dec. 14 meeting at city hall. It was prompted by a request from Andrea Thomas, owner of the Nacho Mama’s Mexican restaurant.
City Recorder Jim Polk stated that he conducted preliminary research on cities that enacted and then repealed similar ordinances. They include Coos Bay, Baker City and Troutdale.
Councilor Margaret Miller expressed her opposition to the idea. She stated that enacting such an ordinance would bring the “criminal element into the area.” She added that staffing levels at the Josephine County Sheriff’s Office still are low.
“I don’t believe we should pursue this,” she said.
Fellow Councilor Trisha Arias agreed. However, Councilor Carl Jacobson said that he would like residents to vote on the matter.
Councilor Dan Fiske characterized the proposal as “something that could be controversial” and echoed Jacobson’s sentiment that a vote should be held.
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Polk suggested that councilors continue the matter to another meeting. He said that in the meantime, he will contact the cities that passed and repealed their social gaming ordinances and report the results to the council. It then could determine if it wants citizens to vote to allow social gaming within city limits, he said.
If so, the city must submit its ballot title to the Josephine County Clerk by mid-February, and have all its materials in by March 18 for the May primary election.
The council agreed with Polk’s recommendation that the matter be continued to its Jan. 11 meeting.
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