The Bessemer City Council voted to accept three electronic bingo gambling permit applications Jan. 22 despite Judge Eugene Verin’s order to keep the “status quo” regarding bingo operations in the Bessemer Cut-off of Jefferson County.
The council’s decisions have been led by its bingo committee, which wants to legalize and expand slot machine gambling referred to as “electronic bingo” in the city.
Less than two hours prior to the special called Jan. 22 meeting, council members Louise Alexander and Dorothy Davidson, along with President Pro Tem Jesse Matthews and President Earl Cochran, decided which organizations would be approved. Then the four again outvoted councilors James Stephens and Sarah Belcher. Councilor Albert Soles, who usually votes against bingo, was absent.
To no avail, Charlie Waldrep, the city’s attorney, advised the council that Bessemer does not currently have an electronic bingo ordinance allowing the permits it approved. Referring to two ordinances previously vetoed by Mayor Edward May, Alexander said, “Actually we have two.”
Set Free Community Development Corp. was approved to move its operations from Concord to Bessemer. Executive Director James Kirk, who is also a pastor, told The Alabama Baptist his organization was issued a permit from Concord in April 2009.
Kirk said his organization used a permit issued by Jefferson County, which expired Sept. 30, 2009.
Save the Youth was also approved for an electronic bingo permit renewal, even though this is the first bingo gambling-related permit for the group in Bessemer.
Birmingham attorney Bob Barnett, who is representing Save the Youth and the Shriners of Walker County, said both organizations filed applications with Bessemer on Nov. 4, just one day before Verin’s order went into effect.
Police Chief Nathaniel Rutledge said the proper procedure for approving bingo ordinances is obtaining recommendations from building and inspections, fire department, police department, mayor’s office and then the city council.
“Anything that has been approved has not come through this department,” Rutledge said.
A permit for the VFW Post 1762 was also approved.
At press time, the “bingo attorneys” representing the city and organizations were waiting to see if Bessemer’s city clerk would issue the approved bingo permits.
Stephens said he planned to “consult with an attorney” regarding a declaratory judgment on the matter.
“Everything [the council has] done since the mayor’s veto is on the premise that Bessemer has a valid electronic bingo ordinance,” he said. “I don’t know where they are getting their legal advice or what type of advice they are getting. I do know that our citizens are paying for it.” (TAB)
Share with others: