Gaming Organizers Set to Present Towne Center Plans in May

Group prefers to address full planning commission.

PokerTek’s plans to set up shop in Towne Center are still in place, despite the company’s request that the item be removed from the April 2 Planning Commission agenda. “We asked for a continuance,” PokerTek representative, David Harbarger, of Fifth Street Entertainment in Cleveland, said April 1. “It’s routine.” Initial plans for the April 2 Avon Lake Planning Commission were for a conditional use permit for the site Blockbuster Video previously inhabited. PokerTek operates charity gaming sites. Charities can host the events for a four to five-day festival, receiving the bulk of the net proceeds. Anyone in the public, over the age of 21, can enter the café to play. Harbarger said only five of the seven Planning Commission members would be …

•  3 Comments
• Photos (1)

Vote Expected Tuesday for Charitable Gaming at Blockbuster Video Site

Avon Lake Planning Commission will hold a public hearing before the case is heard April 2.

UPDATED April 2, 3:59 p.m. Avon Lake Planning Commission will not be voting on whether to issue PokerTek/Avon Lake Charity Festival Room for a Conditional Use Permit to operate at 32814 Walker Road, the location formerly occupied by Blockbuster Video in Towne Center. The item has been removed from the Tuesday, April 2 monthly Planning Commission meeting agenda. PokerTek, a company that supplies fully automated gaming machines, approached the city in January. Company representatives gave a presentation to the city’s Economic Development Committee and Economic Development Advisory Board last month and addressed city council at the Jan. 17 meeting. “The group came to us to see if it’s viable,” Avon Lake Mayor Greg Zilka said in January. “Mr. …

• Photos (1)

Charity Poker Eyed for Towne Center

Organization wants to occupy one of empty storefronts

In Avon Lake, it’s about filling empty storefronts and putting cars in the parking lot. And a charity poker site in Towne Center could help with both, while helping out local organizations. PokerTek, a company that supplies fully automated gaming machines, is considering opening a charity poker site in Towne Center this year. Company representatives gave a presentation to the city’s Economic Development Committee and Economic Development Advisory Board last month and is expected to address city council at the Jan. 17 meeting. “The group came to us to see if it’s viable,” Avon Lake Mayor Greg Zilka said. “Mr. Kopf and his group looked on it somewhat skeptically, but he saw it as putting cars into the parking lot.” Kopf Builders owns Towne …

•  12 Comments
• Photos (1)

Eye on Columbus

Gambling, Turnpike on List of Concerns

Lawmakers are either disconnected or believe money will benefit their communities.

I have always believed that we must work together to solve the serious problems facing Ohio families. This session, we worked closely together to crack down on pill mills in our state. We also worked across party lines to put together a comprehensive law to protect minors and strengthen penalties for those engaged in human trafficking.  Gambling was another area where we worked together. I worked to earn bi-partisan support for an amendment to generate more revenue from the gambling industry to help address gambling addiction in our state. A new survey conducted by the Ohio Department of Alcohol and Drug Addiction Services and Kent State University showed that about a quarter of a million Ohioans have a gambling problem or are at risk of …

•  2 Comments
• Photos (1)