Joe McAdory: Is it 6,400 machines, or 20,000 machines?

John Tyson, head of the Illegal Gambling Task Force, told the Opelika-Auburn News last week that he believes VictoryLand possesses 18,000 to 20,000 electronic gaming machines, some on the casino floor, many others not.

VictoryLand attorney Mark White phoned the Opelika-Auburn News on Monday, giving a far lower number.

“There are about 6,400 machines,” White said. “That number, 18 to 20,000, is a fabrication. It is created out of thin air. And he says there are thousands in a warehouse somewhere?”

The Task Force’s attempted raid in late January began a gaming machine political firestorm that hasn’t gone away. We’ve seen court rulings, legislative procedures, rallies on the capitol steps … all in the name of pro-bingo or anti-bingo. VictoryLand closed its doors, casino, hotel, restaurant, dog track, the works, on Feb. 4, and has
remained closed since.

The threat of another raid, this time with the blessing of the Alabama Supreme Court, has loomed over Shorter for days.

So when will VictoryLand open its doors? Without offering a sure date, White said, “We will open as soon as possible.”

For thousands of VictoryLand employees, that’s obviously music to their ears. But wait, didn’t Tyson say the Task Force would accept VictoryLand’s “invitation” to come inside should the casino re-open?

“If he raids now, he’s a trespasser,” said White, who feared such a raid would cause “tens of thousands of dollars” in damage to the machines.

Trespasser? Perhaps … unless Tyson’s gang has a legal search warrant.

One thing seems certain, raid or no raid, 6,400 machines or 20,000 machines – this gambling issue isn’t going anywhere.

You can bet on that.

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Rep. Mike Hubbard, R-Auburn, doesn’t have a known challenger for his District 79 seat for the upcoming election, but that hasn’t stopped the House Minority Leader from raising funds, just in case.
According to campaign finance records filed with the Alabama Secretary of State's office, Hubbard was the top fundraiser among all members of the Alabama House from 2006 to 2009.

Records show that Hubbard raised $139,303 for his campaign and reported $226,383 cash on hand.

“I hope my fundraising numbers clearly indicate that I am focused on more than just my work as Chairman of the Alabama Republican Party and our Campaign 2010 effort to take over the Legislature,” Hubbard said.

“Since all politics is local, I am also keeping a keen eye on my own backyard and taking nothing for granted.”

Hubbard said his “political enemies” spent more than $500,000 in an attempt to unseat him in 2006.

First, Hubbard defeated Jim Phillips in the Republican primary, then Democrat Carolyn Ellis and libertarian Dick Clark in the general election.

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U.S. Sen. Jeff Sessions, R-Mobile, will be the guest at a community forum at 11 a.m. Friday at Elmer’s Restaurant in Notasulga.

According to a release, Sessions will “share his concerns regarding Washington’s reckless spending spree and country’s soaring national debt ...”

He is expected to discuss the formation of a Tea Party club.

The event is open to the public.

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Also Friday at Elmer’s in Notasulga, Auburn veterinarian Dr. Kim West will announce her candidacy for the Alabama Senate District 28 seat. She will run on the Republican ticket.

The seat is currently occupied by Sen. Myron Penn, D-Union Springs, who announced last year he will not seek re-election.

Democratic candidates who have already announced their intention to run include Howard Burton of Tuskegee; former Tuskegee mayor and State Rep. Johnny Ford; former Auburn city councilman and veteran Tuskegee educator Samuel L. Harris; State Rep. Locy Baker of Abbeville; Macon County Commissioner Drew Thompson; State Rep. Billy Beasley of Clayton; and long-time Shorter Town Clerk and radio personality Harold Powell.

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Republican gubernatorial candidate Bill Johnson, known for his criticism of Gov. Bob Riley, will be the subject Sunday in Opelika-Auburn News reporter Brittany Whitley’s weekly
candidate profile.

Whitley has spent full days with a number of candidates, and her work has been reflected in this series.

Joe McAdory is editorial page editor for the Opelika-Auburn News. He can be reached at 737-2549 or jmcadory@oanow.com