Community Corner

Highwood Says No to Gambling

Sponsors of video gaming ordinance choose not to seek vote on measure to but think tax hike will be the alternative.

An ordinance to allow video gaming in Highwood establishments which serve alcohol never came to a vote today during a meeting of the Highwood City Council prompting Mayor Charlie Pecaro to declare the issue dead.

“They didn’t have the votes,” Pecaro said after meeting referring to Aldermen Mike Fiore and Brad Slavin, the measure’s sponsors. “It’s not the right thing to do at this time. It would have been 4-3 (in favor),” he added referring the probable outcome.

A yes vote by the mayor would have assured passage. He was unwilling. Either a 4-3 vote or a tie with Pecaro’s nay would have doomed the ordinance, according to City Attorney Howard Jablecki.

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During a meeting of the Committee of the Whole before the regularly scheduled gathering of the Council, Slavin and Alderman Eric Falberg argued in favor of the plan while Aldermen Matt Feddermann and James Levi spoke against it.

I’ve struggled with this from both sides,” Levi said. “Right now I have too many constituents in my ward who don’t want this for many reasons.” Alderman Andy Peterson has also spoken against the idea in the past.

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Slavin and Falberg pushed the ordinance because they see it as a way for the city to bring in needed revenue and reduce potential tax increases to pay for what they consider necessary infrastructure improvements.

Based on Falberg’s calculations, Highwood would reap approximately $230,000 a year from the machines’ revenue and fees associated with them. “That is a large part of the bond to fix the infrastructure we need to (repair),” Falberg said.

Falberg and Slavin see a significant property tax increase or ignoring crumbling streets and brick sewers as the alternative to gaming. The boost could be in the vicinity of $289 a house. “I’m not very happy about the tax increase I’ll have to vote for,” Falberg said. “Maybe I’ll vote no and let the streets sink.”

Levi said people who have communicated with him would rather pay higher taxes than have video gaming in town.

Slavin is not giving up. With one vacant seat on the Council, Pecaro said today he had two applications and hoped to make an appointment early next year. “I’ll take their temperature and if they’re for it I’ll bring it back,” Slavin said. “Then the vote will be 5-3 and it will pass.”

Slavin has made it clear he would like to see other alternatives to additional revenue but none of his colleagues have offered any.

The outcome was a victory in part for state Rep. Scott Drury (D-Highwood) who opposed the legislation and organized his Highwood constituents to lobby the Council. He was pleased with the outcome.

“This is a major victory for our community and democracy,” Drury said. “I especially want to commend the City of Highwood for listening to the public and doing the right thing.”

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