02-09-1954 Special Meeting
SPECIAL MEFTING
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A special meeting of the city COilllCil of tbe city of
Clermont was held at the city hall, Tuesday, February
9, 1954.
The meeting was called to order at 7:00 P. M. by
Council President, Arthur George, with all council
members present. Others present were Mayor Boyd,
Police chief Brooks, ~,~r. Rambo, Hr. Frye and Mrs
Daniel Westbrook.
President George stated that the puroose of the meeting
was to discuss the Fair and carnival being operated by
the Veterans of Foreign wars, and the operation of games
of chance, if any, at said Fair or carnival.
Chief Brooks reported that several concessions at the
carnival had been closed and that he had warned them
that others would be closed. That the mayor had instructed
him to close all concessions wnich were games of chance,
but that games of skill should be allowed to remain open;
that although he ~ad ordered only a few of tllli concessions
closed, it was his opinion (Brooks) that the majority of
the concessions were games of chanee.
Members of the V.F.W. admited that some of the concessions
were games of chance, but stated that inasmuch as the gambling
laws of the city had not been enforced in the past that they
did not think that they should be at this time; that furthermore
the proceeds from the carnival would be used for worthy causes;
that members of the V .F.W. wer'e men who had suffered considerably
during the war and were therefore due consideration. ~hief
Brooks then stated that he was also a veteran, a member of the
V.F.W. and had been wounded in action but that he had SVlorn to
uphold the lar:s of the State of Florida and the ordinances of
the city of Clermont and that he was only doing his duty when
he closed the games of c1l.ance in question and that there was
certainly nothing personal in his action. Mr. Olivenbaum
stated that he was also a veteran,. though not a member of the
V. F. W., but that he did not think that this was justification
for the violation of existing laws. ~r. Winston was emphatic
in stating that he was opposed to "Crooked gambling", but that
if the custor.1er had a fair chance of winning he waS not
partictulal>ly opposed. Mr. Konsler stated that he had not
been to the carnival and that he did not intend attending, and
that he therefore did not, and would not, know what games
were being operated there, but that in his opinion if gambling
games existed they should be closed. r,~r. Konsler further stated
that both the mayor and the chief of police had sVlorn to uphold
and enforee the laws of the state and the city and that he
was perfectly willing to leave tbe situation in there hands,
feeling assured that they would abide by the oaths which they
had ta 1(en.
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Chairman George asked the V.F.W. members if it was their
request to be allowed to reopen the places which had been closed
and to operate a Bingo game. Mr. ~rye stated that such was
there desire.
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r,1ayor Boyd stated that gambling, or games of chance, had
existed in Clermont for many years and tnat he did not think
that the existing laws should be too rigidly enforced on
the V. F. W. at this time.
Motion was made by Mr. Olivenbaum, seconded by Nr. Konsler,
that the action taken by Chief Brooks, on the orders of
1.Iayor ~oyd, be continued. The motion carried with Winston
and Sickler voting no. .
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A general discussion then took place regarding the
interpnetation of the motion. It was agreed that
the motion meant that the closing of certain of the
concessions at the carnival be continued and tl~t
the further enforcement of the gambling laws be left
to the mayor and Chief Brooks.
Meeeting adjourned.
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