On July 7th of this year, The Etowah County Commission passed a resolution that gave the Commission the power to issue video bingo permits for two years. The pastor of Cross Point Community Church in Etowah County objected to this decision. Reverend Bruce Word spoke about his objections during a meeting on August 5th.

Word had previously taken his concerns to Attorney General Troy King, where King told Word the resolution was against the constitutional amendment. King had originally spoken to the Commission when they passed the resolution and told them it may become a problem.

Jimmie Harp, the District Attorney, recommended that the Commission change the resolution. Harp was asked by the Commission to review the resolution and Harp concluded the resolution must be amended because it deviates from a 1989 law. The law states the Commission initially had nothing to do with bingo.

Harp then stated that is a permit was granted, he would file suit for declaratory judgment that would determine whether or not bingo cards are the same as machine bingo. Patrick Simms, the County CEO, said he has researched the bingo issue along with the Commissions role and found the law from 1989 as well. The Commission now has to address the issue of their involvement in bingo. Simms stated that since the Commission now is used to propagate rules and regulations they will have to figure out the next steps to take.

The Commission plans to amend the resolution and give the sheriff of Etowah County the power to approve applications involving video bingo. Next the Commission will hold a closed meeting on Friday to hear proposals for a bingo facility in Etowah County. The meeting will be with CBS Supply of Mount Pleasant, South Carolina.


- 2008-08-13