Steve Walker, the owner of Walker's Steakhouse and Lounge said that his customers usually ask him if he offers keno or not when they come into his establishment to enjoy pool or join poker events. He said that he is force to answer no every time his customers asked that question.
In order to solve the problem, Steve Walker approached the Dawson County board of commissioners at the regular bimonthly meeting on September 15th, 2009 requesting approval for a keno gaming license. It is only the initial step in adding the game to the restaurant. Walker said that there are a lot of paperwork, background reviews and regulations he needed to fulfil with the Department of Revenue of the state of Nebraska before his customers can enjoy the game.
Dawson County commissioners agreed to recommend Walker for a keno gaming license. The application had to be approved by the county officials rather than the city council of Gothenburg because the steakhouse of Walker is located outside the city limits. There is one facility in Gothenburg that already offers keno.
Pete's Lounge has the game available after 5:00 p.m. on most business days. If Walker's keno application is approved, Nebraska, Dawson County and the business will each share the earnings from the game. The commissioners also approved the 2009-2010 budget as presented without any comment during a hearing.
The budget is more than $22.1 million with a tax asking of $6.7 million and a levy set at $39.8 cent per $100 in property value. The commissioners also allowed country grant writer Janna Pierce to continue working with the Dawson County Public Transit toward securing federal stimulus funds to acquire an existing facility in Lexington to serve as a bus barn.
A large building is available at the intersection of Van Buren and Plum Creek Parkway that could contain three public transit buses and the handibus office. The Dawson County commissioners also agreed to spend between $175,000 and $200,000 to buy the facility if they receive the stimulus funds.
The handibus office is in the Lexington Grand Generation Center. With handicap accessibility changes, the new facility could serve as an office and public bus barn.
[07-10]
John M. Thorpe
