District Attorney David Barber; Deadline for closing Gaming Establishments January 30
By Cathy Leslie
In an interview with District Attorney David Barber Wednesday, January 17, the News ask how the courts ruling for the closing of gaming establishments would apply to those in the Pinson area? According to media reports, Barber was giving the establishments two weeks to close their businesses. Barber said for clarification purposes, the court ruled that gaming establishments had until January 30, two weeks, to stop all operations and in reference to the first report, Barber said, “I want the public to know I did not pull two weeks out of thin air”.
Barber said employees out of his office are beginning to personally deliver letters to Gaming establishment owners of the court order. We ask Barber how the Sheriffs Deputies would discern which establishments and machines fall under the courts ruling. Barber said his suggestion to the Sheriffs Department is, “if it looks like, acts like, talks like, or runs like a gambling device then shut it down”. He also said that a person in possession of a gambling device is in and of itself a crime and is subject to seizure and arrest.
Barber said he will be holding a press conference at 1:00 p.m. Thursday to explain this to the public. We ask Mayor Sander if Pinson’s city council plan to present any ordinances Thursday night, for fines and such, should the business cease to comply with Barber. Sanders said, “Barber’s orders apply county-wide regardless of municipal limits. The Supreme Court of the State has ruled them as illegal; there is no reason for Pinson to enact anything further. I am sure the Sheriff will be working with the DA to insure compliance. There are three gaming establishments in the City and approximately six near the limit.”
Pinson City Council brings in 2007 by Annexing 600 Acres
Pinson City Council began the New Year by voting unanimously to annex 600 acres into the city. The annexed property includes the Turkey Creek Nature Preserve, Land fill and Treatment plant located on Narrows Road. According to Councilor John Churchill the property is primarily nature preserve area which could be used one day for walking and/or riding trails such as those discussed a 2006 council meeting.
More of this story can be found in the January 18 issue of The Pinson News.
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