WMBB News 13 - The Panhandle's News LeaderEbro Greyhound Park Makes Major Promise

A referendum on slots at Ebro Greyhound Park is less than 2 weeks away. Those for and against the slots have been very vocal on the issue. Thursday, the side in support of the slots made a major promise. 

The lines have been clearly drawn in Washington County, between those for slots and those against them. The supporters at the park held a press conference to announce two major developments. In a letter to Mark Hess, associate manager of the park, mayor David Evans endorsed the referendum, saying "voting yes will lead to economic growth in the town of Ebro and throughout Washington County and create jobs with career paths for local residents." 

Officials with the Greyhound park also announced a plan to share potential revenue.

"This week we executed an official letter of intent to share slot machine revenues with Washington County, the town of Ebro, Washington County Schools, Police, Firefighters, and emergency medical services," said Mark Hess, associate manager with Ebro.

Ebro says it would contribute 2 to 3 percent of its gross slot machine revenue share, a total that could equal $2 million dollars annually.

One the other side of the issue, Alcus Brock was skeptical of Ebro's promise.

"You can promise a lot of things, but you don't always see the promises come true," Brock said.

Brock is with Citizens for Positive Development. His group is strongly against slots. He pointed to the Lottery as an example of a promise not kept.

"When the lottery came in, they were gonna do the same thing," Brock said. "Well, our schools are hurting...where is the money that was coming in to bail our schools out? It's not there."

Pohlmann says this promise to the county would be unbreakable.

"We signed it, they're in review of it now, before it can be done they have to sign it and it will be legally binding at that point," Pohlmann said.

Voters in Washington County make their choice on January 31st. Until then, both sides say they will continue to work to get the public's vote.

"We want them to understand what they're voting for, and what they're gonna get," Brock said.