By Letizia
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/wcbe/local-wcbe-877788.mp3
Columbus, Oh – When voters approved a statwide ballot issue in november to build casinos in Columbus and three other Ohio cities, they approved specific language mandating the Columbus casino be built in the arena district. Still, two groups are collecting petition signatures on-line to build the casino elsewhere. One group started by two Columbus residents is called "Casino Free Columbus." The other iscalled "Stand Up Columbus." It is backed by local businesses as well as former city council member Lisa Griffin, and Mike Curtin, publisher emeritus of the "Columbus Dispatch." The Dispatch has invested big money in the arena district. The two groups have not offered an alternative site. Penn National Gaming, the company that will build the casino, saYS it is willing to listen, but will not go along with efforts to delay or kill the project. Mayor Michael Coleman opposed the casino issue, and is awaiting the city attorney's advice on his authority to restrict the arena district site. In the second part of his end of the year interview with Jim Letizia, Coleman does not offer an alternative site, and says he's not sure how much tax revenue the casino would generate for the cash-strapped city.