Monday, March 27, 2006

"It's a tough little Northeastern Ohio village near Youngstown, and like Massillon has been hit hard by job losses in recent years.

"…Enter the Eastern Shawnee Tribe of Oklahoma and the dream of a casino.

"The residents of Lordstown and its Village Council have bought into the shared dream with the Shawnee and believe it can become a reality and benefit the area.

"Lordstown Mayor Michael Chaffee said he's visited the tribe's casino out west, spoke with Chief Charles Enyart and came away impressed.

"…Lordstown passed the intergovernmental agreement 4-2, Chaffee said, and then a referendum initiated by the voters passed 1,000 to 400.

"…There still is uncertainty as to whether Ohio will get gambling, Chaffee explained, 'but it's beneficial to have an agreement in hand. We haven't invested anything if it doesn't happen.'…"