Statement of

James Sturgeon
Chamber of Commerce Chairman

Matthew Ballard
President/CEO

Charleston Regional Chamber of Commerce
July 26, 2007

The Charleston Regional Chamber of Commerce has endorsed the gaming referendum to be presented to Kanawha County voters on August 11, 2007.

The Charleston Area Alliance has taken no official position on this issue.

As one of the oldest chambers of commerce in the United States, the Charleston Regional Chamber of Commerce has served the businesses and people of Charleston and Kanawha County for over a century. Its board of directors consists of 27 distinguished business and community leaders who donate their time for the benefit of our entire community.

The chamber’s board of directors held several meetings concerning the upcoming table games referendum. After long discussion and thoughtful consideration, the overwhelming majority of directors voted to endorse the measure. The board of directors is the chamber’s official policy making body.

The Charleston Regional Chamber of Commerce recognizes that table gaming is a complex issue on which our members and the public may hold various viewpoints. We appreciate the perspective of those who may disagree with our decision. However, as a leading advocate for economic growth in our community, we believe it is vital for us to publicly endorse and actively support this measure.

All chamber members and citizens can make their views known at the ballot box, and we encourage everyone to exercise his or her right to vote. Voting early is easy and avoids the necessity of going to a polling station on a Saturday. Any registered voter can vote early by going to the Kanawha County Voter Registration Office during normal business hours at 415 Quarrier Street, Charleston, (the corner of Court and Quarrier Street).