Hazzard County Bar and Grill in Sylvan Lake will get a decision tonight on whether or not council will hold a plebiscite to determine if residents want VLTs in their community after banning them in 1997.

General Manager Sheri Hutlete said it’s time for it to be revoked.

“It’s just an option that we can put on the back of the (election) ballot that says yes or no for gaming. It gives the public the opportunity to speak for themselves, when in my opinion; the government should work for the public and should be giving us that option to begin with.”

In March of 2016, the Bar submitted a petition to the Town in favour of adding VLTs to their establishment, but failed to meet all the requirements stated in the Municipal Government Act.

Some of the discretions included not having enough signatures, lack of witnesses and failing to hand the petition in to the town 60 days after the first signature was given.

Owner Jacqueline Izat said it’s a need Sylvan Lake has and is tired of pushing people away to other communities.

“We’re always sending people away, which means they are spending their money having lunch, having coffee or tea, a drink, a pop or whatever elsewhere. That money is going out of Sylvan and into Red Deer, where we can keep it in Sylvan because these are our town people. Why are we sending them away?”

If a plebiscite is denied at Sylvan Lake Town Council, Hazzard County Bar and Grill will once again be required to start a petition and will need at least 1431 signatures, which is 10 per cent of Sylvan Lake’s population.

With the election being less than the 30 required days to give notice, there’s a slim chance the question of whether the Town wants VLT’s back in the community or not, will find its way on the back of the election ballot.

If a petition is required, Izat said she’ll make sure there aren’t any complications this time around.

“I went to my lawyer to make sure we get this petition absolutely perfect because the last one wasn’t and I get that.”

Town of Sylvan Lake doesn’t have any prohibition on VLT’s under provincial government jurisdiction, but the Alberta Gaming and Liquor Commission will likely be guided by the results of the 1997 plebiscite unless the Town requests otherwise.