Pope County Justices of the Peace kicked the casino can of worms into next year Thursday when they voted to table the third and final vote on an ordinance which would put casino applicant approval to a vote of the people.
The JPs were to supposed hear the third and final reading of an ordinance requiring a vote of the people in either a general election or a special election to either approve or deny the elected official(s) support of a casino applicant applying for a casino license within Pope County before any required support letter or resolution for a casino applicant.
However, JP Allan George moved that the ordinance be tabled until January due to ongoing litigation.
The meeting opened with Pope County resident Jon Berganini speaking out against the ordinance. Berganini noted that the similar ordinance, 2018-042, was found to be illegal.
“If you have not had the county attorney review this or discussed it with them, you need to,” he said. “A casino license has been issued to a viable applicant. You don’t need to be playing these mamby-pamby games. Just let it go and move on.”
The motion to table the casino-related ordinance passed 8-4, with JPs Jackie Heflin, Roy Reaves, Tim Whittenburg and Philip Haney voting against the motion.
JP Doug Skelton was absent.