Greene County Democrat

Tag: Mr. Luther Winn

  • Palace bingo facility will host simulcast racing

    Racing Commission awards operating license for pari-mutual wagering and simulcast racing

    The Greene County Racing Commission has awarded a six year operating license to Five Star Investment Company, LLC to conduct parimutuel wagering with authorization to conduct Greyhound Simulcasting and Historical Horse Racing Gaming. According to the Racing commission, only one application was submitted. The license is awarded for six years at a fee of $10,000 per year.
    The licensee will contribute 4% of revenues to the Racing Commission towards its operations and to distribute to designated entities as previously prescribed by Alabama Legislative Action. These entities include Greene County Hospital Board, Greene County Board of Education, Greene County Commission, incorporated municipalities, law enforcement, ambulance service and maintenance, other designated community organizations and programs.
    The new licensee will conduct simulcasting gaming at the Palace Gaming facility in Knoxville. Reportedly, the Racing Commission’s offices will also be located at the Palace.
    The previous license for Pare-Mutuel Wagering, Greyhound Simulcasting and Historical Horse Racing Gaming had been held by Greenetrack, Inc. and operated at its gaming facility. According to Mr. Luther Winn, former Greenetrack, Inc. CEO and President, the 
Greenetrack facilities on Greene County Road 208 and all properties, once in Greenetrack’s name, have been confiscated by the State of Alabama. The Greenetrack Gaming facility, previously co-owned by Greenetrack stockholders and the Greene County government is currently co-owned by the State of Alabama and Greene County government.
    It should be noted that the electronic bingo gaming which the State of Alabama deemed illegal at Greenetrack and precipitated its closing is the same electronic bingo gaming currently operating at other facilities in Greene County.

  • Commission approves signage identifying locations of storm shelters

    The Greene County Commission met in regular session, Monday, October 9, 2023, with all commissioners present. The commission acted on the items discussed at the work session held Wednesday, October 4. These included the following:
    * Approved County Highway Department to install storm shelter signage at each storm shelter location. Commissioner Garria Spencer stated that county residents need to know the exact location of their community storm shelter.
    * Approved School Resource Officers contract.
    * Approved annual contract with Digital Information for IT services and hardware maintenance.
    * Approved annual contract with Digital Information for IT services and hardware maintenance for Appraisal Office.
    * Approved annual contract with Harris Local Government for Revenue Commission Office.
    * Approved attendance at Smart Fusion Class in Birmingham, November 2, 2023, for CFO, Administrator, and Accountants Payable personnel.
    * Approved 2024 Severe Weather Preparedness Tax Holiday for February 23-25.
    Approved ABC License for Soul Out Cafe.
    Approved the financial report and payment of bills presented by CFO, Macaroy Underwood.
    Other items discussed at the Oct. 4 work session included the County Engineer’s report relating to options for billing county garbage collection. One proposal is to let bids for an outside company to bill or the county would do billing. Seemingly it is more expensive for an outside company to bill. Currently there are 1,800 garage pick-ups. The Engineer’s office was directed to get proposals and evaluate the best approach. The commission noted that many residents are delinquent in paying their garbage pick-up bills, including some county employees.
    The engineer’s office stated there are exemptions that the county is required to absorb regarding pick-up fees. The county is currently accepting exemption requests.
    Mr. Luther Winn requested an extension regarding Greene County Entertainment’s rental agreement with the county. The commission seemingly will give this some consideration.
    Ms. Bobbie Morgan presented a plea for the commission to repair County Road 125, Boligee, where she resides. She said the road is virtually impassable. Ms. Morgan noted that, since she lives in District 5, she has brought this to Commissioner Roshanda Summerville’s attention on previous occasions, with no results. Summerville then asked the Engineer to accompany her to visit that site on the following day and determine what could be done.
    Ms. Morgan also asked for a storm shelter in Mt. Hebron. “There are many families in mobile homes who need a safe place to go when there are warnings of strong weather conditions,” she said. Commissioner Summerville responded that a storm shelter is scheduled for the SCORE Center on County Road 39.
    Representatives from the University of West Alabama requested that the commission assist in getting broadband surveys completed. This will help in determining the need in the rural areas. The UWA representatives did not have sample surveys with them but will follow-up. Commissioner Spencer suggested that they consult with Ms. Phillis Belcher, CEO with the Industrial Development Authority.
    CFO Macaroy Underwood presented the financial report ending September, 2023. Accounts payable totaled $469,531.87; Payroll transfer totaled $273,817.66; Fiduciary totaled $122,381.49; Total Claims paid totaled $865,731.02. Electronic claims totaled $103,240.65. Bank balances are as follows: Citizen Trust Bank – unrestricted $2,438,866.76; restricted $4,179,277.52. Merchant & Farmers Bank – unrestricted $2, 979,181.57; restricted $1,183,498.60. Bond Funds totaled $889,506.78.

  • Greenetrack Charities distribute $71,000, with $9,000 to support local HeadStart Program

    L to R Mr. Luther Winn, Greenetrack, Inc. CEO/President; Ms. Bessie Howard, Center Manager, Greene County HeadStart; Michelle Aaron; Natasha Williams.

    In the December, 2020 distribution of $71,000, Greenetrack, Inc. Charities gave a specific contribution of $9,000 to Community Service Program of West Alabama in support of the Greene County Head Start Program.
    Head Start/Early Head Start, a division of Community Service Programs of West Alabama, Inc., provides comprehensive services to children, ages birth to five, of low-income families. The program focuses on school readiness and improving family functioning. Applications are currently being accepted. Families can apply online at http://www.cspwal.com.
    The non-profit charities operating electronic bingo at Greenetrack in Eutaw, AL, E-911 Communication Services, the Greene County Volunteer Fire Fighters Association, and Woman to Woman, Inc., provided charitable contributions, for the month of December, to a variety of local organizations, all benefitting Greene County residents.
    A total of $71,100 dollars was divided and given to the following charities:
    Greene County Board of Education ($13,500); Greene County Hospital ($7,500); Greene County Commission ($24,000); City of Eutaw ($4,500); City of Union ($3,000); City of Boligee ($3,000); City of Forkland ($3,000); Greene County Ambulance Service ($8,000) and Woman to Woman for 2021 toward Community Service Program of West Alabama for Greene County HeadStart Program.
    Each of the following non-profit groups received $300: Greene County Nursing Home, SCORE, Greene County Golf Course, James C. Poole Memorial Library, Greene County Foster & Adoptive Parents Association, PARA, Greene County Housing Authority Youth Involvement, Children’s Policy Council, Reach, Greene County DHR, Greene County Volunteer Fire Fighters Association, and the Society of Folk Arts and Culture.