CALCUTTA - Voters turning out for the Nov. 3 election will need to decide whether or not to allow Cincinnati, Cleveland, Columbus and Toledo to operate casinos. Under Issue 3 only one casino facility can be designated in each city.

If passed, a fixed tax of 33 percent of each gross casino revenue will be distributed throughout the 88 counties, public school districts, host cities, casino control commission, state racing commission, law enforcement training fund, and the state problem gambling and addictions funds.

Board President Robert Swickard said he is not encouraging or discouraging voters with regard to Issue 3, but that the township would be affected if the issue is passed. "This is not a pro or con against (the issue) however, Mountaineer Park has a lot of employees that live around here and spend their money here."

Furthermore, "St. Clair gets a lot of foot traffic from people coming down from the north. I fear that (passing the issue) will curb some of the traffic coming from the north, which will have a direct effect on the employees that work over there and that live here," he said.

Trustee James Hall agreed with Swickard.

"I think the Mountaineer is already feeling the repercussions of the new casino in Pittsburgh. They continue to lay off personnel. I don't think it will benefit our area if it does pass," he said. Hall also said the township cannot afford to lose more business in the area and added that Mountaineer has benefited the area in a variety of ways, including through donations.

Trustee James Sabatini added, "I think it is evident that they have downsized their force due to competition from area casinos. There is only so much money to go around. My fear is that if the state relies on that income to influx money into that budget ... that won't pay all of the state's bills."

"Gambling is not the answer to Ohio's budget woes, manufacturing is," Swickard said. Swickard emphasized that residents should research each issue on the ballot and "make up their own mind."

Other business addressed during the regular board meeting included paying $25, 559.16 back to the general fund for an advance that was made to pay Chase Bank for the loan payment on McGuffey Drive.

"The second half settlement is in, so I have that money available. I just want to get that back into the general fund," Fiscal Officer Deborah Dawson said.

The board also adopted a resolution to amend the original 2009 appropriations for the police levy fund. The adopted resolution will add $25,000 to the police levy fund to provide for current expenses.

Chief of Police Don Hyatt was present with the monthly activity report for the St. Clair police department. For the month of September the department responded to 247 incidents in the township.

Other business included officially declaring a residence on Highland Drive a nuisance property for overgrowth of vegetation.

"There is vegetation all around the house ... you can't even see the house," Hall said.

Trustees also approved authorizing the fiscal officer to send a notice to the property owner and all lienholders regarding the nuisance property.

The East Liverpool High School Class of 1951 was denied their request to use the Peter Metrovich Community Center located at the back of the administration building. Trustees said the request was denied because it does not fit into the guidelines stated for the community center. "(The center) must be used to promote community causes, not private purposes," Swickard said in reference to the guidelines.

Road Supervisor Scott Barrett urged the public to contact the road department with regard to any road problems within the township at 330-385-5509.

The next regular township meetings will take place at noon Nov. 10 and 24 in the administration building. The Township Association Christmas dinner is scheduled to take place at 7 p.m. Dec. 2 at Firestone Park.

kschwendeman@reviewonline.com