politics

Some E-mails are pretty funny..
Well, it can happen. Gambling in Ohio? legal? Yes it's now legal.

 Just recently the Governor legalized slot machines in Ohio, so test cameras and slot machines have been installed ON the lake. That's right; there are actual floating cameras and slot machines on the lake. I'm sure by now everyone is aware of the outrage in Heath over the Red light and speed cameras. Well, move over Heath because Buckeye Lake is taking over the front page.  After seeing these strange yet oddly familiar looking objects atop some buoys I thought I'd better see what Big Brother is up to now.

So I contacted Acting Deputy Director Richard Cranium with the Department of Under Secretary of Land and Waterways for the State Budget and Control of All if Anything Department of Exterior. Mr. Cranium was not available so his Assistant Alice P. Wingit took my call.

According to Ms. Wingit there are two (2) cameras and one (1) slot machine in operation at the Buckeye Lake Park.  The first camera installed is located in an undisclosed location which takes pictures of boat hull numbers of boats which enter the No Wake zone with speeds exceeding the No Wake area, much like the Heath cameras which take pictures of speeding motorist. 

The second buoy with a slot machine is located again in an undisclosed location next to Onion Island swim area. This slot machine is designed to take take money from unsuspecting swimmers who choose to put their money in. Ms. Wingit would not comment on what Richard Cranium does with the money but she did say is would be spent wisely

The third buoy with a camera who's location is apparently not a State secret. It is located in front of the new spillway near Seller's Point. The purpose of this camera is to take photos of boats which violate the Danger Buoy and proceed to close to the spillway. (Apparently so the state can send the last known picture to the family of the unfortunate boater. 

Before our conversation concluded Ms. Wingit reassured me that the funding for the cameras and slot machines  was in no way Pork Barrel Spending. The cameras and slot machines are an investment in our community, for our community. The revenue generated by the slot machines will give the State more money than they'll know what to do with. 

I sure am glad I called and got all my questions answered, thank you Ms. Wingit.