Humboldt County declines to support casino

Wednesday, Nov. 3, 2004 | 9:26 a.m.

Humboldt County declines to support casino

FORT DODGE, Iowa -- Humboldt County supervisors have voted against a resolution supporting a casino proposal in Fort Dodge in neighboring Webster County.

In a 3-1-1 vote, the supervisors on Monday did not back the proposed Mineral City Hotel and Casino project when asked by Webster County Development Executive Director James Crean.

Crean said the project would bring in 350 new jobs and draw people into Humboldt County.

"I'm asking you for neighborly support," he said.

Humboldt County Board Chairman Romaine Lee told Crean that he was asking just five people for their support.

"I've had no less than 14 or 15 people say to me since Saturday that it won't be in the best interests of the citizens of Humboldt County to endorse this project," Lee said.

Supervisor Kay Kollmorgen asked Crean how other counties are responding to the resolution. Crean pointed out that Calhoun, Hamilton, Wright and Sac are considering it.

Crean said support from counties surrounding Webster would show regional cooperation for the project.

On a roll-call vote, Lee, John Christianson and Harlan Hansen voted not to support the casino. John Myers voted yes. Kollmorgen abstained.

The deadline for submitting applications for new gambling licenses is Nov. 10.

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