By BOBBY HORN JR.
HIGHLANDSThe Highlands-Lynchburg Chamber of Commerce is expected to take up the issue of gambling during this weeks membership luncheon, planned for March 10.
The gambling discussed is not local game rooms, but rather slot machines. Recently Craig Bean, representing a group called Win For Texas contacted the chamber of commerce.
The group is advocating for the implementation of slot machines at existing racetracks and Native American reservations in Texas. Bean has asked the Highlands-Lynchburg Chamber to pass a resolution in support of slots at tracks.
Bean said that there is legislation working its way through Austin that would create a Constitutional Amendment proposition. Voters would then have their voice in the matter.
All that we are asking is for our lawmakers to let the people of Texas decide whether or not they want slot machines at racetracks, Bean wrote in e-mail to the chamber.
Chamber President and Restoration House Church Pastor the Rev. Dr. Phillip Morris said they would put the issue to membership.
During the meeting, he said that he would ask membership whether or not they wanted to take a position on this matter, and if so does the chamber support or oppose the legislation.
I believe that we should have at least 75% of our members in either position to proceed with this as a body, less than this will not be sufficient to present as a unified commitment representing our body of members as a whole, Morris wrote in an e-mail to chamber members.
Bean said that other chambers of commerce are supporting them. specifically Cy-Fair, Corpus Christi, Tomball and San Antonio.
If Highlands were to take action on this issue, they would be the first chamber of commerce in the area to do so.
Representatives from the Crosby-Huffman, Baytown, West Chambers County and Dayton Chamber of Commerce have each said that they have not been contacted by Win for Texas seeking their support.
School rezoning an issue
During the luncheon, which will be held at the San Jacinto Community Center at 12 p.m., Goose Creek CISD Superintendent Dr. Toby York will be the guest speaker.
Earlier this week the school district held a public meeting to discuss attendance zones and rezoning, and how the district was going to respond to increased student population. Recommendations for new elementary and secondary school boundary lines were also presented.
According to the district, over the next five years they expect to add an estimated 1,700 students.
The school district adds that eight of its 13 elementary campuses and three of five junior high campuses are over capacity. Goose Creek Memorial High is also listed at 104% capacity.
