The Register-Herald, Beckley, West Virginia

Local News

November 5, 2008

Greenbrier gambling gets nod

By Christian Giggenbach

LEWISBURG — Table games at The Greenbrier can now become a reality if the hotel chooses to make it so. With 30 of 30 precincts reporting, 6,683 voters (51.41 percent) approved the controversial gambling measure, with 6,317 (48.59 percent) voting no. The measure passed by 366 votes.

Greenbrier resort union spokesperson Peter Bostic called it a great victory.

“We are excited and we are grateful for the support of the voters and hopeful the company will take action on this extension of their business and it will provide the revenue so they will back off their concessionary demands,” Bostic said at the courthouse Tuesday night.

Greenbrier hotel officials had “no comment” concerning the issue leading up to Tuesday voting.

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In other Greenbrier County races, with 25 of 30 Greenbrier County precincts reporting early Wednesday, two Democrat judges enjoyed commanding leads over their Republican opponents in the race for circuit judge in the 11th District. The district covers both Greenbrier and Pocahontas counties.

Longtime Judge Jim Rowe had a tally of 6,971 votes (61.58 percent) to Republican challenger Barry L. Bruce’s 4,348 votes (38.41 percent). Rowe has been a judge in Greenbrier County the last 12 years and was thankful for the opportunity to serve his county for another eight years.

“I am very appreciative for the continued support the voters of the county have given me,” Rowe said Tuesday.

Barry, a Lewisburg lawyer, said he would not run for judge again.

“It’s always tough to take on an incumbent; we got hit pretty hard in Lewisburg,” Barry said. “It was a good experience and I congratulate Jim on his victory.”

In the second race for judge, Democrat Judge Joseph P. Pomponio Jr. was leading Republican Jesse Guills 7,027 (55 percent) votes to 5,770 (45.07 percent).

The 11th Judicial Circuit also covers Pocahontas County. While vote totals from there were not readily available, officials reported both Rowe and Pomponio had comfortable leads.

Pomponio was appointed to the bench last year by Gov. Joe Manchin upon the retirement of Judge Frank Jolliffe. Pomponio could not be reached for comment late Tuesday. Guills, who will remain as a senator for Greenbrier County, congratulated his opponent on his victory.

“I will accept the defeat and return to the Senate to serve the citizens of Greenbrier County,” Guills said. “It was a good, clean race and I congratulate Joe.”

— E-mail: cgiggenbach@register-herald.com

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