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Spivak & Bice
Papers rip George over casino stance
By CARY SPIVAK AND DAN BICE of the Journal Sentinel staff
Friday, March 21, 2003
During his 23 years in office, Sen. Gary George has withstood two FBI probes, several ethics investigations, some vicious political attacks and dozens of highly critical newspaper stories.
Throughout it all, he's kept a stranglehold on his north side Senate seat representing a largely African-American district.
But George put a target on his own back earlier this month when he joined forces with indicted Sen. Chuck Chvala in voting against Gov. Jim Doyle's right to expand casino gambling, most notably at the popular Potawatomi Bingo Casino in the Menomonee Valley.
The two leading black newspapers in Milwaukee have written editorials blasting George for his vote and his choice of a political bedfellow -- a particularly unusual alliance considering the key role Chvala played in killing George's gubernatorial campaign last fall.
One of those newspapers, the Milwaukee Courier, is actively supporting a fledgling recall effort -- which is being led, in part, by Jerrel Jones, the Courier's founder and owner.
"Sen. Gary George has had the opportunity to represent his loyal supporters for a long time," the Courier opined the other day. "It is time that he must go. His actions, votes, and leadership are clearly in question."
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