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Rally to save VictoryLand: Macon County citizens and commissioners speak out

Rally to save VictoryLand: Macon County citizens and co ... (Added: February 02, 2010)

"For my family, we'd be devastated, totally devasted," said Bernard Copeland, a VictoryLand employee. (more)

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By Alison Flowers
Published: February 02, 2010

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The controversy over the possible closure of VictoryLand Casino spread to the steps of the Macon County Courthouse in Tuskegee Tuesday morning.

"It's not about gambling," said Louis Maxwell, chair of the Macon County Commission. "It's not about the governor."

But the crowd of commissioners and citizens appealed to Gov. Bob Riley, to the Supreme Court of Alabama, to anyone who would listen to their pleas about what losing VictoryLand would do to their families.

"We've been trying to move this county forward, but with this set-back, I don't know what we're going to do," said commissioner Drew Thompson.

VictoryLand closed its doors for the day to update its computers and fend off a raid from the governor's task force, according to VictoryLand's attorney, Mark White. A VictoryLand employee said that only the Oasis Hotel and Buffet remain open, and White doesn't know how long the closure will last.

Meanwhile, hourly employees aren't getting paid, according to floor manager Hattie King.

"They've got famlies to feed, small kids, day care," King said. "When they're not working, their families are not eating. Their kids are going without."

Former mayor and state representative Johnny Ford attended the rally and later put out word about his own demonstration to be held on the steps of the Alabama State Capitol in Montgomery Wednesday at noon.

"...our basic constitution rights are being challenged by Governor Bob Riley," Ford writes in a press release. "House Bill 660, which I sponsored, was a constitutional amendment voted on by the people of Macon County and passed at a rate of 76% to allow electronic bingo in Macon County."

Ford echoed the Macon County Commissioners by adding that "this gathering is not about gaming. It is bigger than that."