A majority of Hollywood commissioners declared Wednesday that allowing slot machines at
parimutuel sites in neighboring cities won't benefit their city.
They voted 4-2 to spend up to $50,000 to persuade voters to nix expanded gambling in the March 8
referendum.
Voters in Miami-Dade and Broward will decide whether to allow slot machines at parimutuels, with
a portion of the state tax revenue dedicated to schools throughout Florida.
Hollywood Mayor Mara Giulianti has taken a lead role in the city's opposition.
Under tentative agreements with parimutuels, Hallandale Beach, Dania Beach and Pompano Beach
would get a portion of slots revenue.
Giulianti said Hollywood would be forced to increase taxes to compensate for increased traffic and
the need to dispatch more emergency workers to nearby parimutuel sites, under mutual aid
agreements.
''We have to stand up for our residents,'' Giulianti said.
Fire-Rescue calls to the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino have gone up from an average of two
calls per month to an average of 60 a month since the casino opened, said City Manager Cameron
Benson.
Hollywood will see a similar increase in calls to Dania Beach and Hallandale Beach, he said.
''The mayor is right on target,'' Benson said. ``If this happens, we will be looking to raise taxes.''
Hollywood's anti-slots stance has put it at odds with its neighbors.
Dania Beach, for example, has ''concerns'' about Hollywood's application to add retail and
residential units as it continues to redevelop downtown. That application will be reviewed later this
month by the Broward County Planning Council.
''If we are going to look for the spirit of cooperation, we have got to stop taking the hits,'' Benson
said. ``. . . It's time for us to realize we have to look out for Hollywood first.''
Dozens of parimutuel employees sat for hours at the commission meeting Wednesday, wearing
white T-shirts that read, ``Vote Yes on March 8 for Better Schools and Jobs.''
Robin Rorapaugh, a Hollywood resident and a member of an anti-slots coalition called Remember
The Lottery, urged her elected officials to oppose slots.
''Let's wait for two years, when we know what the rules of the road will be,'' Rorapaugh said.
Kevin Howard, a security supervisor at the Hollywood Greyhound Track in Hallandale Beach, is
more eager.
''I don't think we can wait two years for what-if,'' said Howard, a Hollywood resident. ``The kids
need the money now.''
Vice Mayor Beam Furr said he wants Hollywood to work with the neighboring cities, instead of
opposing them.
What is good for the region will be good for Hollywood, said Commissioner Keith Wasserstrom.
''We gave it a shot. We were not successful,'' Wasserstrom said, referring to Hollywood's efforts to
garner a share of slots profits. ``I think it is going to be a positive thing for the city of Hollywood.''
Giulianti disagreed.
Parimutuels will build their own hotels, luring tourists from the Westin Diplomat Resort & Spa on
Hollywood beach.
She chided the parimutuel industry for hiring major lobbyists -- including Hollywood's lobbyist -- to
work on passing the measure.
Commissioner Cathy Anderson said the city's fire and police departments don't have enough
employees to tackle their current duties.
''I have to worry about Hollywood,'' she said.
Vice Mayor Beam Furr and Commissioner Keith Wasserstrom voted against Wednesday's
measure. Commissioner Sal Oliveri was absent.