Eligible Rocky Mountain House voters who will be away for a plebiscite on July 27 now have the opportunity to cast a vote on the controversial video lottery terminal question in an advance poll.
The advance poll will run on Tuesday, July 21, from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. at the Lou Soppit Community Centre at 4733 54th Ave., says returning officer Velma Keeler.
The normal voting day is Monday, July 27, from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. at the Lou Soppit Community Centre.
The question states:
“Do you agree that town council should pass bylaw No. 09/06V, whereby town council recommends that the provincial government and Alberta Gaming and Liquor Commission allow VLTs in the town?”
Institutional polls will be held at Westview Lodge, Columbus Place, the Rocky Mountain House Hospital and Clearwater Centre on July 27.
The machines were removed from the town following a 1997 plebiscite.
Members of a town Pub Association pushed for the plebiscite and managed to get more than 10 per cent of the town’s population of about 7,300 people to sign a petition, which was presented to town council. Council then called for the plebiscite.
The association claims that many former customers are leaving town to play VLT machines elsewhere.
No dates have been set for a possible debate on the topic. The town’s Ministerial Association and the Pub Association have indicated they would participate in a debate.