JEFFERSON, Iowa (AP) – Casino supporters have turned in petitions calling for a public vote on gambling in west-central Iowa’s Greene County. A group called Grow Greene County submitted more than 750 signatures on Tuesday. Only about 460 verified signatures are needed to force supervisors to schedule a vote. An Aug. 6th election is expected.
Greene County Supervisor Guy Richardson backs the casino and says the county must grow in order to thrive. The Rev. Julie Poulsen of First United Methodist Church in Jefferson is a leader of No Casino Greene County. She says she opposes gambling because of the harm to individuals and families.
A Greene County casino likely would be developed at the intersection of U.S. Highway 30 and Iowa Highway 4 in Jefferson.