Lee Trawick
Reporter2@riverbendnews.org
vOn Tuesday, June 28, the White Springs Town Council convened for a special meeting with two items on the night's agenda. Conducting the night's meeting was town Mayor Anita Rivers. Alongside her were Jacqueline Williams, Cynthia Williams, Mary Berry, Larita MacCallum, Vanessa George, Audre' J. Ruise and Town Attorney Joel Foreman.
First on the agenda was the first public hearing for the CDBG grant; joining the discussion to help explain the variety of ways the grant can be used was Kathy Baker, representing Jordan & Associates. Baker told the board and concerned citizens the funding would be $600,000 and could be used for one of four things. After a brief discussion, the board voted in favor of the Housing Assistance Rehabilitation Plan.
The second and most anticipated item on the agenda was the second reading of Ordinance 2022-001. City Hall was packed with people and tension, as the community stood divided on the issue. The passing of Ordinance 2022-001 would allow for the re-entry of internet cafes into White Springs. In April of 2021, the White Springs Town Council voted unanimously in favor of shutting down the internet cafés because they were deemed a "public nuisance." However, 14 months later, the town council held the first reading for this ordinance on Tuesday, June 14, where it began to gain momentum and prompted a special meeting for a second reading on Tuesday, June 28. Of the 26 who spoke, there were less than five White Springs registered voters who spoke in favor of the re-entry of internet cafes. The rest of the speakers were the café owners, employees and Columbia County residents. Hamilton County Sheriff J. Harrell Reid opposed the ordinance by stating, "It's gambling; there is no other way to look at it. It is gambling and illegal and brings a criminal atmosphere into White Springs." However, the new ordinance reads new regulations would have the café close by midnight and prohibit them from serving alcohol. The town council says they are looking for ways to bring revenue into White Springs and if the café has more than five gambling devices, they will pay White Springs $96,000. However, if they operate less than five gambling devices, they would be forced to pay a tax of $5,000 a year. The language of the ordinance concerns those who oppose it, saying there is no guarantee the café will have to pay $96,000. "I see where it says if they have more than five gaming devices and then less than five gaming devices. However, nowhere does it state what White Springs will receive if they only have five gaming devices," Terri Stewart said. "The ordinance is very concerning because of language like that throughout."
The common concern was the crime rate surrounding the internet cafe's throughout north Florida, despite having a law enforcement presence around the cafés. However, the Council contends there has not been any criminal activity involving the cafes in White Springs. To help ease the minds of those concerned, the Council stated they would provide two security guards and 24-hour surveillance. Unfortunately, it was not discussed how that would be provided and who would pay for the services, since the Town of White Springs doesn't have law enforcement.
While the pleasant and legal wording is "internet café,” it is widely known that gambling in Florida is illegal. No one who spoke in favor of the café used the language of “internet café” other than the café owners. The White Springs and Columbia County citizens in attendance openly referred to the establishments as a place for gambling and relaxing. "It's a place I can go and gamble," one citizen stated. Attorney John Durrant pointed out state law 849.08, which states, “Whoever plays or engages in any game at cards, keno, roulette, faro or other game of chance, at any place, by any device whatever, for money or other thing of value, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor of the second degree, punishable as provided in s.775.082 or s.775.083.”
While many who spoke favored opening the café, it is unclear if those sentiments represent the majority of White Springs residents, as many stated they were from Columbia County. With every surrounding county banning the internet cafés, all eyes seemed to be on White Springs and how they were taking on the situation, including the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE), who sent a message to White Springs, stating, “It's illegal, regulate yourself, or we will." Attorney Durrant proposed the question: “With all that comes with the café, are you sure you want to bring this into your community?"
Upon hearing the concerns and those in favor of the café, the council then unanimously passed Ordinance 2022-001, 5-0. The meeting was then adjourned. The next regularly scheduled meeting will be held on Tuesday, July 12, at City Hall at 10636 Bridge St., in White Springs at 6:30 p.m.