Casino vote unites county officials

STEUBEN COUNTY, Ind (WANE) - Fort Wayne is not alone in its push for a casino referendum. Officials in Steuben County are building a campaign now to convince state legislators to put the issue on a local ballot as well.

Legislators continue to discuss the future of two casino licenses currently based in Gary: a legislative study committee has carried the issue outside of the regular session.

Former state senator Robert Meeks is leading the charge out of Steuben County. He says many of the city and county officials are on board for a referendum.

In a committee meeting on Monday, Meeks, alongside Steuben County Economic Development Director Gary Nielander, addressed the members of the legislative gaming study committee. They expressed the unity between the county commissioners, the mayor of Angola, the town of Fremont, and county council on the issue of a casino referendum.

A unified delegation of officials is something Fort Wayne lacks in it's push for a casino referendum. That's according to Fort Wayne City Councilman Mitch Harper. Harper opposes expanded gaming in Fort Wayne. He was at the committee meeting, Monday, to put a spotlight on what he calls a lack of unity in the Summit City.

"The committee members need to know... there is not a consensus in Fort Wayne, let along a strong consensus on this issue. [They need to know] that the city administration is largely alone in this position," said Harper.

Meeks agrees with Harper, and that's why he says Steuben County may move to the top of the list when it comes to possible places for a casino license to move in Indiana.

"We're much further along in the game than Fort wayne is," said Meeks.

The next gaming study committee meeting is set for October 19th in Indianapolis. Officials in Steuben County plan to address the committee once again.

NewsChannel 15 called Mayor Tom Henry's administration for a response to this story.

Spokesperson Rachel Blakeman said "We have no updates at this time."

Meanwhile, when asked if Mayor Henry planned to speak to the committee during the October 19th meeting, Fort Wayne Legislative Liaison Ozzie Mitson repolied in an email "Yes. If we are on the agenda, he will."