In a 7-2 vote, the city council in Columbus, Georgia recently approved asking the local legislative delegation “to introduce and/or support legislation to authorize a referendum to allow Georgia citizens to vote as to whether they want to allow casino gaming in Georgia for the purpose of Hope Scholarship funding.” The council sends an annual “wish list” to the local legislative delegation of the issues they would like the state representatives and senators to bring up in the next session.
Councilor Glenn Davis cast one of the two opposing votes. He said he supports people’s right to vote on issues, but stated he felt the councilors had not had enough time to educate themselves on the issue. “I think it’s premature to vote on this now,” Davis said.
Prior to the vote, councilors heard from five leaders in the African American community who supported the inclusion of allowing a casino gambling referendum on the legislative agenda.
Local entrepreneur Robert Wright Jr., an optometrist, businessman and former council member, said he would like to see a $200 million casino. “I’ve always tried to do what I can to help this city. We shouldn’t be left out of this the way we were left out of the Interstate system,” he said.
Attorney Teddy Reese added, “I’m not here to endorse gambling in Columbus. I’m here to get the elected officials to let the people vote.” Attorney Stacey Jackson noted the “powers of government are based on the consent of the public. With the right to vote comes political equality. One man, one vote.”
Attorney Katonga Wright said that while her uncle, Robert Wright, spoke about the past, she was concerned about the future of Columbus. “It’s so important that we consider ventures like this. Other cities, like Augusta, are already talking about this. They’re at the table, and we need to be at that table, too.”
Reverend Ralph Huling, pastor of St. James Missionary Baptist Church and president of the Interdenominational Ministerial Alliance, cited Abraham Lincoln’s philosophy that government works best when there is a democracy. He said, “I believe the people should have a choice in the matter. That’s democracy. The citizens of Muscogee County deserve to have the right to vote. That’s the only horse I have in this race.”
