Statement by Sen. Harri Anne Smith
Lance Griffin/Dothan Eagle
Published: April 14, 2008
Below is the full text of the statement read by Sen. Harri Anne Smith when she announced that she had withdrawn her bingo bill from the Alabama Senate.
“I recenrtly introduced a bill in the state Senate which would have put the establishment of electronic bingo in Houston County on the ballot in November. I did this because I believe that when the citizens of any community face a political and moral issue of great significance they should have the opportunity to participate in that decision.“
“I believe that then and I believe it now. Since I introduced this bill I have heard from hundreds of people from all walks of life – in the newspaper, on the Internet, by phone, on radio and TV, and on the street.“
“The good, solid citizens of our community have let me know in no uncertain terms how strongly they feel about this issue. The consensus is obvious to me. A majority of the people of Houston County clearly want the Country Crossing development to move forward because of what they believe it will mean to this area in terms of jobs and economic development. For that reason I have today contacted the Senate committee chairman and asked that my bill be stopped permanantly.“
Reader Reactions
Posted by ( ) on April 22, 2008 at 11:13 am
Hang on. Follow the money. Harri Anne obviously rubbed elbows with some who waved campaign contributions in front of her and the “good people” were left in the wake. We were glad Coffee County was turned down by Mr. Gilley. I think Houston County is beginning to see why we feel so fortunate. Have you noticed the quiteness from us? Who’s upset that the plans were uprooted from here? No one. It wasn’t like Highway 167 just became a two-laned road or that Fort Rucker’s proximity to the planned location just suddenly appeared. If the bingo isn’t that important and it’s the only fly in the oinment over such a wonderful plan, why not do away with that part of the plan? Why is the entire concept hanging on gambling? Obviously, that’s where the money is. As far as the money, ask the developer about the free house he just gave away at no cost. Interesting story!
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Posted by ( ) on April 17, 2008 at 1:03 pm
If you don’t like it don’t go to it,but that’s no reason the rest can’t go if they want to,as for as voting on it that has already happened.I am a Baptist and go to church and believe in GOD but time changes such as churches with pool tables in them,i would never would have thought that would be possible but if that is what they want than i have nothing to say. Let the ones that want COUNTRY CROSSING have it and the rest don’t go. Thank you Harri Anne Smith for pulling out your bill.
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Posted by ( ) on April 17, 2008 at 12:36 am
Ive been watching this issue for awhile now and Ive got to say its been interesting.Millions of dollars in revenue and thousands of jobs in peril over a bingo hall when they are already exist here.What is it this"evil” bingo hall is going to introduce here?Prostitution?Alcohol?Gambling?Drugs? They been here all along folks,just read the police briefs in the dothan eagle and see the arrests.The number of stories Ive heard about Vegas,Reno,Biloxi from people who live in Dothan would fill tomes, so you just have to wonder where all this came from and why.Let them folks build their hall,create those jobs,pay them taxes and give a percentage to the charities.I just hope part of those contributions go to the local humane society,they surely need it and the city surely does not have it to spare they say.
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Posted by ( ) on April 16, 2008 at 9:18 am
We’re a nation “of laws” not “of men.“ If a faction of the people don’t like the amendment 569 that was ratified over 10 years ago and don’t like the definition of “bingo,“ then those citizens need to take the issue to the judicial courts, the whole way to the Alabama Supreme Court, if needed, to dissect this amendment and the power it gives to the Houston County Commission to approve a “bingo” establishment. In the words of U.S. Senator Jeff Sessions, legislators are not “masters of the universe” and do not have the answer to every problem, and are certainly not above the law!
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Posted by ( ) on April 15, 2008 at 4:57 pm
Shame on you Senator Smith! People should have the right to vote on the issue, but you took that away. I was proud when you presented the bill because it appeared that you cared for the citizens, but that was not the case. We will be able to vote on election day, and mine won’t be for you!
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Posted by ( ) on April 15, 2008 at 12:10 pm
I had asked Sen. Smith to hold to her principles and not allow Houston County to be transformed into a gambling den. She introduced a bill to allow ALL the citizens of Houston County to voice their opinion on this matter. Then, as she puts it, the good, solid citizens of our community swayed her principles and she withdrew her support for a democratic vote. I guess I know where I stand, since I’m not one of the Good, Solid citizens. I guess those of us who oppose gambling in any form are not good, solid citizens. But we will have a vote, maybe not on playing bingo but in the next election.
I fully support the concept of a Branson type industry here in Houston County. But Country Crossing is NOT that type industry. If the good, solid citizens of Houston County can’t see what is happening, then we deserve just what we get.
Jerome Baxley
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Posted by ( ) on April 15, 2008 at 11:49 am
Douglas doesnot get it” The bill that Sen. Smith introduced and then pulled was a bill that if voted on YES or NO would have doomed ccc.
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Posted by ( ) on April 15, 2008 at 9:02 am
Senator Smith you represent you people very well. As a retired military person it is nice to know that there are people like you that will listen to those whom you represent. The good, solid citizens of our wiregrass community. The consensus is obvious to me that majority of the people of Houston County example “DEBBIE TRUEBLOOD” clearly want the Country Crossing development to move forward because of what they believe it will mean to this area in terms of jobs and economic development. Unlike some that do not want to see progress.
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Posted by ( ) on April 15, 2008 at 9:00 am
Douglas, you just don’t get it, do you? The people, the citizens, ALREADY VOTED on the bingo issue over a decade ago…when they ratified amendment 569 to the Alabama constitution, the amendment which gave the Houston County Commission the legal power to approve a bingo establishment in Houston County. What part of that, Douglas, do you not understand? The people already voted to allow Bingo over 10 years ago! Folks like you who have no clue what you’re talking about only add the confusion over this Country Crossing project!
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Posted by ( ) on April 15, 2008 at 7:38 am
Sen. Smith,
I would like to thank you for pulling your bill. This area need’s this project to go through and if to many obstacles or put up then they will just go to Florida or somewhere they will be wanted and gladly accepted because other places would go far out of there way to get this project in there area. Please don’t let Country Crossing be built somwhere else and if the electronic bingo is not allowed then they will go some where else. We need them to start building right away which will bring job’s to the area immediatly which is badly needed, with the high cost of gas and food the poor are getting poorer fast. Again thank you for listening to the people.
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