Yeah, baby! That’s right, the casino referendum that says “no casinos within 1500 feet of a school, place of worship, park or residence” is going to go to the May ballot. City Solicitor Romulo Diaz had stated that the referendum was illegal and that the city would move to block it after it passed 17-0 by a vote in Council. However, this week he maintains that there is no legal way to stop this referendum from going to the ballot. The mayor may veto it, most likely he will let it lapse into law by his inaction. Check out the Inky’s coverage.

Today was an amazing day for the democratic process in Philadelphia! All the members of Council voted to support the will demonstrated by the people of Philadelphia by putting a referendum on the May ballot that will allow residents to finally vote on the issue of casinos in neighborhoods. Here’s the Inky coverage. The city solicitor’s office is already making noise that they will try to thwart the referendum. We finally got Council to represent the view of residents, now we have to get the state and our city administration to listen. So, there is still work to do. But considering a year ago we were all told to go home and sit on our hands, that there was nothing we could do, we’ve come a long way, and have every right to feel proud of today’s victory. So, take a moment Philadelphia, and reflect upon the power of your political involvement in this issue. The more we demand the kind of city we want to live in, the better our chances of getting it.

Just in case you ever had any doubt about the character and substance of the casino operators and the local political operators that made them possible, read this from the Inky today. Richard Sprague and William Lamb, both investors in SugarHouse (Sprague also represents Vince Fumo), allege “widespread and pervasive fraud”. Let me tell you, as one of over 300 volunteers who spent hours huddling in the cold collecting signatures, that is a new low. The 27, 254 signers of the Casino Free Philadelphia petition know that’s a lie, and should be outraged. More than that, we’ve got to make the members of Council reflect our will in this matter. So, even if you’ve done so before, take the time to write another email to your councilmembers asking them to put the referendum on the May ballot. Don’t let them off the hook!